Frank Thompson, the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who was recorded verbally threatening and abusing a junior rank of the police force, was yesterday charged in a city court with using abusive and threatening language.
Thompson, 29, of 154 Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, was brought before Magistrate Judy Latchman on charges that on February 22, at Broad Street, Georgetown, he made use of threatening language to Hemchand Budhai and abusive language to Police Constable Leandre Gillis.
Thompson denied both charges.
Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh told the court that on the day of the altercation, Constable Gillis was on duty at Broad Street serving summons when he was approached by Budhai, who reported that Thompson’s vehicle had crashed into his. The court heard that when Budhai approached Thompson, he was met with a series of expletives along with threats to kill him and the occupants of his vehicle. When Constable Gillis approached the vehicle where Thompson was and put the allegation to him, he was asked “What the f*** you gon do ’bout it?” He was also reportedly verbally abused by Thompson, who did not withhold more expletives.
The matter was later reported by Gillis to his superior and Thompson was escorted to Brickdam Police Station by the constable and Corporal Jones.
It was noted that the statement of Constable Gillis was currently before the Office of Professional Responsibility.
The prosecutor stated that investigations into the matter were complete and made no objection to bail being granted.
Magistrate Latchman subsequently granted Thompson his release on a total of $120,000 bail, representing $60,000 for each charge.
The matter will be called again on March 27.
While it is customary to have prisoners handcuffed and shackled before being escorted down the prisoners chute after they would have been either granted bail or remanded, this was not the case for Thompson, who officers allowed to freely leave the courtroom.
It is usual for high ranking or well-known officers to be granted preferential treatment if charged.
Thompson also faces a charge of dangerous driving before Magistrate Renita Singh.
In the six-minute video, which was circulated widely on Facebook last month, the ASP was heard constantly blurting out threatening and abusive language to at least two junior ranks of the Guyana Police Force, who were investigating the accident.
The ASP was heard verbally abusing a junior rank who had taken his driver’s licence. The rank was heard requesting the ASP to drive to the Ruimveldt Police Station but he refused. “Hello police wuh I do wrong?” was what the ASP continuously asked during which he made use of indecent language. The ASP further told the constable to “Find out about me, buddy.”
