THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), in response to numerous complaints by members of the public, has issued an advisory, also to members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on how motorists should be treated. It said:
* traffic ranks are not authorised to solicit any favour, including the supply of meals, cash or provision of anything not connected with the performance of their duties as both parties are liable to be charged, criminally;

* traffic ranks or other members of the GPF are not authorised to take possession of drivers’ licences or other documents unless a driver fails to give his or her name and address, or the documents are suspected to have been forged or unlawfully obtained and

* junior traffic ranks are not to detain motor vehicles at Police stations for unnecessarily long periods of time, without probable cause and the express permission of their superiors.

The advice also stated that traffic tickets are to be issued to errant drivers for minor offences and their vehicles should not be detained for such.
It said traffic ranks are expected to be courteous to motorists and other occupants of vehicles and, at all times, act impartially.
Complaints of misconduct by traffic ranks can be lodged with MOHA, in Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown; the Commissioner and the Office of Professional Responsibility, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary; the Police Complaints Authority, Brickdam, Stabroek and the respective Divisional Commanders.
Reports can also be made by calling the MOHA hotline numbers, 227-5214 or 227-5219.