Just like a parent would defend the veracity of his or her child, in like manner, we are obliged to defend the right of any of our members when they are barred (whether by force or not), from executing their duties. More so, we take offence when such actions are carried out by members of our Police Force.All Guyana, indeed the world at large knew that February 23 was the 42nd anniversary of the Republic of Guyana. They also knew that Mashramani is the celebration associated with February 23, and that on this day, thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life flood the streets of Georgetown, revelling in true Guyanese fashion.
They also know that Mashramani celebrations always attract a heavy police presence. Their presence is important for the maintenance of law and order, and to give advice and guidance to revellers and onlookers of the Mash spectacle.
At the same time the world at large knows that occasions such as Mash among other cultural activities, also demand the presence of media personnel who are accredited to cover such events. It is therefore in this respect that we comment on the savagery meted out to one of our reporters who was on assignment during the float parade on Mash Day, in Georgetown.
It was the case of an honest, decent and respected reporter being roughed up and assaulted by police officers for no apparent reason(s), while the reporter was on official duty.
We understand that the incident took place in full view of one of the Commanders of the Police Force who allegedly failed to even caution his men for the unwarranted assault on the reporter.
The Chronicle staffer was also allegedly lashed in the chest, before being taken to the police station and dumped into the lock ups, only to be released later on his own recognizance.
A woman who witnessed the entire incident had this to say to reporters: “If you see how this police come and scramble the reporter and start dragging him through the crowd, and the reporter start shouting, asking him not to manhandle he, and then the police weggie the boy.”
This is indeed a serious indictment on the Police Force whose motto is: “Service and Protection.” We cannot afford to have officers with such notoriety in the Police Force. We need officers who could live up to the spirit and letter of the Motto.
Obviously, this type of treatment against the reporter could only serve to rupture relations between the media and the Guyana Police Force, which is not in good stead with members of civil society.
Members of the Police Force need to get their priorities correct, and rather than hounding  respected and decent citizens who are simply trying to carry out their civic duties, they should instead go after the real law breakers who pose a threat to the citizenry of this country.
We wish to state categorically that the reporter in question is a member of the Chronicle editorial staff. It should also be noted that accredited local journalists are accorded a police/media pass, or ‘press pass’, which is signed by the Commissioner of Police.
This pass carries the name of the holder, designation, and the agency he or she represents. On the flipside of this pass is a part under the heading Police Media Pass which says: “Production of this pass will access the holder, if good and sufficient reason exists, through Police Cordon, by the Police Officer or Non-commissioned Officer.”
We can substantiate that the reporter was on official duty for the Guyana Chronicle when he was attacked and prevented from doing so by the police. We feel this is wrong, and the officer(s) involved should answer for his/their behaviour against the reporter.
We view this incident as a very serious infraction of good police work and as prostituting the authority of the police high command. Officers such as these bring disrepute to the Force and those police officers who perform their duties in a responsible and professional manner.