Ramjattan goes after Rogue Cops
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan
Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

MINISTER of Public Security and Vice-President Khemraj Ramjattan, in the National Assembly yesterday, rolled out his concerns with the country’s security sector with clear emphasis on getting rid of rogue police officers. The Minister noted in his address to the House the influx of cases involving rogue cops in Guyana’s Police Force, and “disgustingly”, he said, “we have noticed them getting promoted and being retained.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams

“To get at rogue cops,” Ramjattan resolved, “will require policemen of integrity who are going to catch them, because more and more I see newspaper letters and other pieces and bits of statements coming my way as to who are misbehaving, and nothing seems to be done.”
Ramjattan, in 2009, represented Twyon Thomas, 15 at the time, who was arrested by ranks of the Leonora Police Station, and was subsequently tortured by two ranks who doused the lad’s genitals with methylated spirits and set it ablaze. That case created shockwaves throughout the country about police brutality in Guyana’s police stations.
While Ramjattan previously represented the lad against the state in 2009, as the new Minister of Public Security, he said he has indicated to both the Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud; and the Police Service Commission, by writing, that High Court rulings must be respected, specifically regarding discipline of recalcitrant police officers.
Under the Donald Ramotar Administration, the two ‘torture cops’, Mohanram Dolai and Narine Lall, had been promoted, even though their characters had fallen into disrepute. Dolai was promoted from Constable to Corporal, and Lall had been promoted from Sergeant to Inspector.
Ramjattan had advised the Police Commissioner to send packing orders to both officers, however only Dolai was dismissed. The Police Commissioner could not dismiss Lall, since his rank fell under the ambit of the Police Service Commission.
Since then, Ramjattan has written to the Police Service Commission, a constitutionally autonomous body, to have the officer dealt with. Ramjattan hopes to build, with the assistance of senior police authorities, a force that recognises human rights, and acts in leadership roles within communities.
“I want to assure that all policemen, especially, the rogue cops out there, know we have a plan to ensure that they [will] be caught, and [that they] will be removed forthwith from the Police Force.”
“That plan,” he said, “would be soon executed.”
In an interview with this publication Thursday at the Public Buildings, Ramjattan responded to questions of a possible conflict of interest since he was the attorney that fought against the two officers in the 2009 case; but now, as Public Security Minister, he is calling for those officers to be dismissed.
“Absolutely not,” Ramjattan affirmed, while adding that this new Government was given a mandate to act, and if he did not act, “that would be in effect, not doing my job.”
Meanwhile, former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, following the court order for compensation to be paid to the lad’s family, had threatened to appeal the case. That appeal was filed in 2012.
When asked whether this Administration would continue with the appeal, Ramjattan responded in the negative but assured that Attorney General Basil Williams might withdraw the appeal on behalf of the Government.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Basil Williams, for his part, told the Chronicle yesterday that he does not yet have the facts of the case.

By Derwayne Wills

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.