COGNISANT of a number of statements and media publications that have been made following the interviewing by the police of Ms. Simona Broomes, President of the Guyana Women Miners Association, in response to a report of alleged assault made against her, and which seek to question the police’s action, the Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify the situation.

The incident is alleged to have occurred on April 21, 2013, at Puruni. However the victim of the alleged assault, Ms. Ann Marie Carter, had been evading the police since then until her arrest in August, 2013, because of her involvement in the trafficking in person matter.

Upon being arrested, Ann Marie Carter made an allegation that she was brutally assaulted, including with the use of firearms, by Ms. Simona Broomes and other persons in her company. Her allegations were supported by a medical report and eye witnesses.

Ms. Simona Broomes was subsequently interviewed by the police and placed on bail. The investigations are continuing as the police are making efforts to contact the other persons who were with Broomes on the day in question.

The reports in the media including the statement made by the Guyana Human Rights Association display a lot of reckless and unsubstantiated pronouncements being made that seek to vilify the police without knowledge of the facts. Or is it being suggested that we live in a society where some are more equal than others and under such circumstances, the Guyana Police Force should use the unprofessional approach of selective enforcement to achieve justice?

The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that its approach in meeting its responsibilities to the people of Guyana is to take a professional stance. In such an approach, it is required to investigate all complaints made by all persons.

In keeping with this, false allegations have also been investigated and at the conclusion, in cases where sufficient evidence was gathered, persons making the false allegations were charged criminally for doing so.

The Guyana Police Force states categorically that its action has been in keeping with professionalism and are not bent on intimidation nor intended to place any blemish on Ms. Simona Broomes’s record and her reputation, as is being peddled in some sections of the media.

The Guyana Police Force is appealing to members of the public to exercise some patience and allow us to employ our procedures that are standard in any investigation.