The file on Wednesday’s shooting to death of Dart-mouth businessman, Orin Boston by a cop has been sent to the Police Com-plaints Authority (PCA) for “review”.
This was disclosed last night by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) which has come under mounting pressure to explain the circumstances of the killing of the man who was shot on his bed.
The GPF said it had “forwarded the file in this matter to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority for review. This is in keeping with the legal procedure when dealing with such matters”.
Under its governing Act, the Police Complaints Authority is mandated to undertake a probe of all fatal police shootings. It is however not required to review the internal police probe. The usual procedure has been for the police force to send its file to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on prosecution. It is unclear why this has not been done in this instance. The PCA in recent years has complained about being ignored by the police force in relation to the investigation of members of the force.
In the past, the police have also introduced long delays in investigating killings in which its ranks have been involved.
Yesterday, Feona Boston, the widow of Orin Boston said she is hoping that she will receive feedback on the findings of the investigation that is currently ongoing “as soon as possible”.
“I have nothing really to say. I am just waiting,” Feona told Stabroek News last night in an invited comment.
She said the family remains traumatized and directed any further questions to their lawyer.
Boston, 29, of Hoppie Street, Dartmouth was shot and killed last Wednesday during what was said to be an anti-crime operation.
The police in a statement had said that ranks were conducting the operation at around 4.40 am during which they went to the home of Boston to conduct a search.
During the search, the police said that there was a “confrontation” between Boston and the police resulting in him being shot.
Boston was rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An autopsy later reveal-ed that Boston died as a result of haemorrhage and shock due to gunshot injuries to the chest.
Feona had previously told reporters that the police kicked down their back door, went into their bedroom and shot the businessman. She said that ranks were all over the house with guns and her two children, ages 6 and 7, witnessed the entire ordeal.
Boston was shot with a rifle. The policeman who allegedly shot Boston remains under close arrest.
Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie has since ordered a comprehensive investigation into the shooting. The investigation is being spearheaded by the Police Office of Professional Responsi-bility (OPR).
On Monday, Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn visited the family and promised that all efforts will be made to ensure his death is “thoroughly” investigated.
Benn also said that there will be a review of the Guyana Police Force’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
As the investigation continues, a number of details surrounding the shooting of Boston remain sketchy. This includes how many ranks entered the house, what means were used to gain entry to Boston’s house, and whether any of the force’s SOPs were breached.
Pressed for answers during a press conference last Wednesday, Hoppie told the media that these details will be determined in the investigation.
A new Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Article 1, in a statement yesterday called for a “scrupulous” and “rigorous” review of Boston’s killing.
It demanded that civilians, private individuals or a NGO of repute, be included and partnered in the investigation being conducted by the OPR to ensure a “thorough impartial and transparent” probe.
“…The Guyana Police Force’s attribution to Mr Boston’s acts of aggression, which are contradicted by eyewitnesses suggests that an inquiry has to be conducted most transparently as a matter of urgency,” the statement said.
