The police yesterday denied that they had planned to arrest large numbers of persons over the weekend and on Monday on false grounds, as claimed by APNU+AFC coalition, which alleged that it was part of a concerted effort to prevent them from voting.
In a statement released yesterday, the coalition said it was in receipt of information that there is a plan to arrest an unusually large number of persons over the weekend and on Elections Day on spurious grounds in a deliberate effort to prevent these persons from voting. The statement claimed the alleged plan was a national one, which will be intense in Georgetown within the police’s ‘A’ Division.
The coalition condemned the plot and called on officers of the Guyana Police Force to act honourably and resist being used as “pawns” in a politically-motivated move. It also implored citizens to be watchful and act with restraint at all times.
Public Relations Officer of the Guyana Police Force Ivelaw Whittaker, in a statement, subsequently advised the public that the police’s plan is contrary to the allegation. He said their plan is to act professionally in providing security for May 11.
He stated that the coalition’s statement came as a shock since the force’s hierarchy had met senior representatives of the coalition on March 16th, at the Office of the Commissioner of Police. He said plans for police operations and security for the coalition’s leaders were discussed and the representatives were conversant that the Police Divisional Commanders have full command of the resources in their respective Divisions, and that they also have instructions to operate professionally.
“There is no plan neither for any mass arrests nor the illegal arrest of anyone,” Whittaker said, while adding that the force has been acting professionally during the campaign period and intends to continue until the end of the process.
Whittaker also noted that the Commissioner of Police had provided a list of contact telephone numbers, including cell phone numbers, for himself and all the Police Divisional Commanders to the coalition campaign manager Raphael Trotman and advised them to call on any issue in which they wish to engage the police.
“Several calls were made to the Commissioner of Police and Divisional Commanders regarding various issues, however, the content of the media release was never raised,” he stated. “The Guyana Police Force wishes to assure members of the public, including supporters of all political parties, that if they breach the laws they are likely to be arrested; and if they conduct themselves lawfully, they will be protected,” he added.
When Stabroek News contacted Crime Chief Leslie James, he indicated that he was not in receipt of any such plan and if the police had cause to arrest anyone it would be because that person was under investigation.
