THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has commenced computing the mandatory compensation package applicable to the surviving relatives of slain Police Corporal Romain Cleto, 25, as stipulated in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) regarding members of the armed forces killed in the line of duty, under which the GPF falls.

Once properly determined, the person who had been Corporal Cleto’s closest relative at time of his death, two Saturdays ago, would receive the million-dollar entitlement stipulated by the SOP for the next of kin of fallen police officers.
Speaking with this publication following the death of Corporal Cleto, the official responsible for administration of the Guyana Police Force, Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle in an exclusive interview that the GPF Welfare Department had already begun computing benefits and other emoluments which the rank acquired during his years of service, and same would be handed over to his wife.
He said the officer died under some very sad and uncomfortable circumstances; and, as such, all the benefits to which he is entitled from the Government of Guyana and the Guyana Police Force will be issued to his next of kin.
Last week, the Guyana Police Force sponsored two nights of wake for the fallen rank, both at his home in Georgetown and at the Brickdam Police Station, where the rank had been stationed, and from where he had departed to patrol on that fatal night. The GPF had also accorded the fallen rank, who had served and protected the Guyanese people for almost five years, a full military funeral with the required 21-gun salute and a march through several city streets before final interment at the Le Repentir cemetery.
Besides the million-dollar mandatory compensation, there will also be the disbursement of superannuation benefits which are given through the government; and according to Asst. Commissioner Persaud, while paper work would delay the process for some time before it reaches the final stage, all efforts would be made to expedite the process.
Corporal Cleto is survived by a one year-old daughter. And Persaud reminded that the GPF would also look after her schooling, as obtains in cases involving fallen officers. Persaud said the GPF has established several funds to look into the welfare of the children of those who are fallen.
Asked to whom compensation would go in Corporal Cleto’s case, in which his mother, wife and child stand to benefit, Persaud said the Force realises that family members of the dead cop have been cooperating with each other, and have made their decision as to how the money would be disbursed.
Corporal Romain Cleto was killed instantly after a gunman had exited a car and pumped several bullets into his body on Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown in the vicinity of the Plaisance bus park.
The gunman had also injured two other ranks who had been in the vehicle on patrol with Corporal Cleto.