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After a gruelling session in which he had to resort to the TSU’s unit book to verify answers he gave, Bowman accounted for all the ranks deployed, their firearms, ammunition, time of issue, and all other details requested by his interrogators, and was allowed to depart from the witness stand.
Cross-examination of former E&F Divisional Commander, Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken, then followed. Hicken took the oath, and was first cross-examined by police attorney Peter Hugh.
Hugh asked the former commander questions in relation to his duties as commander, the process of applying for permission to stage a march, and the standard operating procedures of the Guyana Police Force relative to the duties of a commander.
Asked to describe the type of ammunition and shotgun cartridges ranks under his command had in their possession on the day in question, Hicken did so; and questioned whether coated cartridges were used by the TSU, Senior Superintendent Hicken indicated that that was not so.
He indicated that the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) could be deployed only by the Commissioner of Police or the Police Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations.
The requirements and conditions to be followed when requesting permission for a march were outlined by Senior Superintendent Hicken, as read from a letter addressed to Region 10 Chairman Sharma Solomon granting permission for the marches to be staged on July 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st.
In cross- examination, Hicken detailed his activities during the day in question, commencing with his arrival in Linden at around 05:30 hrs, when he visited the Mackenzie and Wismar Police Stations to inform officers and ranks of his presence before occupying his office at the Mackenzie Police Station.
He indicated that, during that time, he personally briefed Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Patrick Todd, then the TSU and divisional patrol squads collectively.
Hicken noted that the march was scheduled to commence at Christiansburg, Wismar, and proceed to Kara Kara in Mackenzie after crossing the bridge connecting Wismar and Mackenzie. He told the CoI that the permission stated clearly the conditions marchers had to adhere to, and that the organisers were responsible for the persons under their control.
He recalled that his officer monitoring the march and updating him as it progressed had indicated that the marchers had stopped on the bridge and had begun camping with blue plastic tents, logs, pieces of metal and iron, old vehicles and rocks; and he visited the scene and informed the leaders at the time — Messrs. Lincoln Lewis and Sharma Solomon — to speak to the people and have them removed from the bridge, since it was unlawful to block the flow of traffic and pathway of pedestrians using the bridge.
He noted communicating same to Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who instructed him to return to the marchers and advise that permission was given for a march, and not to block the pathway of the bridge. He was specifically instructed to speak to the people, their leaders and the organisers of the march, which he did.
Hicken told the CoI that although he had returned to his office, he continued to monitor the situation; and when it escalated, he informed the police commissioner on developments regarding the situation.
He then returned to the marchers with the Unit under the command of ASP Todd, and had conversations with Lincoln Lewis, Sharma Solomon and David Hinds regarding the blocking of the bridge.
He said that after speaking with Lewis, Solomon and Hinds, he was assured that the bridge would be cleared before evening, so he returned with the unit to the Mackenzie Police Station.
Hicken said he received information that the protesters, then numbering approximately 900, began hurling stones, bottles and other missiles at the police, and the TSU Unit was summoned on instruction of the commissioner.
He explained that he had returned to the protestors to speak with the leaders again, and found that they were no longer there. The crowd had by then gotten uncontrollable and were chanting and making dangerous statements.
Asked about the language used and statements made, Hicken indicated that the crowd was saying, ‘We ain’t paying no increase on de electricity bill; and if you (the police) try to move we from here, we gon bun de bridge and de town down!”
Asked if fire was set in any way, Hicken replied affirmatively, and then told the CoI that he relayed to the police commissioner all the activities as were monitored by ASP Todd and ASP Stanton.
Hicken said he received a call from ASP Todd that someone had sustained injury, and he left his office to check on what had happened; going to the Mackenzie Hospital, where he was greeted by an unruly crowd which prevented him from entering the institution. He returned to his office and instructed detective corporal Harry to investigate the matter, at around 22:00 hrs.
APNU attorney Basil Williams then asked if, while he was on scene, he had seen the prominent leaders whose names he had called individually, and Hicken replied in the negative.
Williams asked the former E&F divisional commander if he had received instructions from the Minister of Home Affairs, and Hicken indicated that he had received instructions only from the police commissioner.
The attorney continued with his cross-examination of Hicken, posting a number of questions and receiving firm answers from the former commander.
Asked about his knowledge of the five-day protest which was intended to continue during the period, the former commander indicated that he had knowledge, since permission was given in writing with all conditions stated clearly.
Williams then asked Hicken if he could recall the meeting with Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon, and asked who had been there in that meeting at his office.
Hicken noted that he was accompanied to the meeting by ASP Stanton, and that Solomon had come alone to the meeting. Williams noted that that was untrue, since Solomon had been accompanied by a councillor named Callendar, later identified as ‘Bad heat’ to the former commander.
Hickens was then accused of making treats to the men, offering to take them for a ride to the city; and was also accused of visiting the home of Callendar to leave a message with Callendar’s son. Hicken denied those allegations.
Asked if he knew APNU Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman, Hicken said he did not; and when Trotman was brought into the commission for identification purposes, Hicken denied knowing the man.
Other questions relating to the TSU were asked by Williams, and Hicken referred him to ASP Todd.
Attorney-at-law Joseph Harmon then concluded the Hicken cross-examination with three questions before adjournment.
