…by woman accused of harbouring escapee

Deputy Commander, ‘B’ Division,Senior Superintendent of Police Edmond
Cooper, said the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) will investigate
the accusations of police brutality made by Tilawattie Singh.

Singh was detained by the police for allegedly aiding prison escapee Stafrei
Alexander.

According to Cooper, both he and the commander learnt of the allegations from newspaper reports. Only recently, they took over the reins from Assistant
Commissioner Ian Amsterdam and his deputy, Senior Superintendent Eroll
Watts, who have both retired.

Cooper said they are familiarising themselves with some of the ongoing investigations in the region and based on their checks, no official report was made with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) or the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).

“Based on our records, we did not see any official reports made to the
OPR, but I can assure you that we will make sure the OPR conducts an
investigation into the allegations made. I am also urging the
complainant to lodge an official report as soon as possible if she did
not do so as yet, because the OPR would need that to proceed.”

He went on to explain that based on experience, many times people
would go to the media with their issues, but neglect to make an
official report.

This, he said, leaves the police and the OPR without any official statement to work with and when approached, the complainants would change their minds or withdraw their complaints.

He is urging persons to desist from this practice.

Cooper assured this publication that he will do everything within his power to see an investigation launched, since Singh made some serious allegations.

Singh, 38 and a mother of three of Trainline Dam, Ankerville, Port
Mourant, was detained by the police on July 18 for three days.

She had accused the police of brutality while in their custody.

The woman told reporters she was punched, gun-butted and choked by ranks, who alleged that she cooked and supplied food to prison escapee Stafrei
Alexander.