Head of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), Assistant Superintendent Elston Baird is urging ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to remain professional while performing their duties even though some situations might cause them aggravation.
Baird made this call on Tuesday during his appearance on the force’s weekly ‘Police and You’ radio programme. The OPR is the police’s internal investigative unit.
“I would say even if you and someone get into an argument for whatever reason just be professional at all times. Try to use the guided principles as it relates to when you are effecting an arrest….. We want to encourage our ranks to remain professional even at the point where they are being aggravated,” he advised.
In recent months, there has been an increase in incidents where police officers have been attacked by civilians while executing their duties. In some instances, these incidents have even led to ranks being injured.
Just two days ago, 19-year-old Tyrese Hoppie was fined after he faced three charges including assaulting a peace officer.
Hoppie admitted that on August 4, at Croal and Cornhill streets, he unlawfully assaulted a peace officer, acting in the execution of his duty. He was also charged with resisting arrest and using abusive language toward the officer, which he also admitted.
In July, a woman, Shanice Farinha was released on $40,000 bail after she denied assaulting a police officer and behaving disorderly in a public place.
Prior to this, an East Coast Demerara resident, Herman Liverpool was also placed on bail after being faced with multiple charges, including assaulting a policeman who was serving a summons to him for court.
Similarly, in April, a traffic officer was forced to take cover to avoid being physically assaulted with a cutlass by a Sophia minibus driver, whom he attempted to arrest for dangerous driving.
Baird is encouraging ranks to be au fait with the police Standing Orders which will serve as a guide in the decision making process when these situations arise.
“Of course we are being guided by our standing orders and our disciplinary act and one of the things I would always encourage ranks is to be more au fait with what the standing orders say. You see when you are informed, it helps you to make better decisions,” Baird said.
According to Baird, the OPR has found that ranks are breaching the standing orders, particularly as it relates to arrest.
“….We found that……people ever so often always have this kind of confrontation and the public perception is one of the things the police would try to ensure, as a police force we are a professional organisation,” he noted.
Once an incident occurs involving a rank of the GPF, Baird said an investigation is conducted by OPR.
In cases where ranks are assaulted while on duty, Baird assured that the perpetrator/s will be prosecuted.
“The ranks of course would have the full support of the organisation in ensuring that persons who would have assaulted them are arrested and charged and placed before the court and prosecuted,” Baird said.
“….We are in an age of technology and virtually, everything that occurs is being recorded and posted on social media and of course while we have seen police officers remaining calm even when they are being assaulted, we would say to them continue to be professional at all times and the necessary course of action will be taken against those who perpetrate violence against the police officers,” he said.
