Four independent investigators for the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) have been appointed and have so far received more than a dozen complaints against the police, including the alleged assault of Mayor Hamilton Green during a picketing exercise at the recent opening of the Marriott Hotel.
PCA Chairman, retired Justice Cecil Kennard told Stabroek News last Thursday that the investigators have done quite a lot of work since they assumed their duties on April 1.
The investigators are Retired Inspector of Police Gladwyn Hercules, who previously worked at the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR); Retired Senior Superintendent of Police Frederick Caesar; Retired Inspector of Police Sydney Charles and Retired Captain of the Guyana Defence Force Cecil Ramnarine. Caesar had been appointed as the Supervisor.
Justice Kennard disclosed that the latest complaint was made by Green, who accused the police of assaulting him. During the protest, other persons were seen being shoved and held by the police in an attempt by the ranks to keep the protestors from proceeding to the entrance of the hotel.
According to Justice Kennard, the investigators operate from the PCA office on Brickdam, where they will receive complaints and investigate.
He said he had made an arrangement for the investigators to meet Assistant Commissioner in charge of Administration Balram Persaud to discuss their access to police station records and also to lobby for the cooperation of the force in ensuring ranks under investigation visit the PCA as opposed to investigators having to interview them at police stations.
“They [the investigators] will investigate all complaints lodged at the PCA and then submit a report to me,” he said before stressing that he had all confidence that his investigators will not be influenced and will be fair and impartial. He said he is particularly comfortable given the fact that all four appointees have a wealth of experience, particularly the policemen who are trained investigators.
Justice Kennard said that based on the contents of their reports, he will decide if disciplinary or criminal charges ought to be instituted against the ranks under investigation. In the case of disciplinary action, he said that will be passed to the Police Commissioner while the criminal charge recommendation will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.
“I have no doubt that they will work. I have seen them perform over the past few weeks,” he said, before adding that the investigators will enable complaints to be dealt with expeditiously and there will no longer be a need to contact the Police Commissioner for information about a complaint lodged.
Last September, about a month after Cabinet granted approval for the establishment of the investigative arm, the Home Ministry advertised for investigators. The advertisement said the sleuths would be required to assist in taking and investigating complaints, to submit statements taken and prepare reports for the Chairman of the PCA.
Applicants were required to have at least seven years of experience in investigating criminal matters, particularly experience in the Criminal Investigation Department of the Guyana Police Force.
The establishment of an investigative arm in the PCA was one of the recommendations included in the Disciplined Forces Commission report, which was submitted to the government over ten years ago.
