POLICE Corporal Haywood and Constable Daniels (only names given) have been arrested by their colleagues following an investigation into allegations that they murdered a Brazilian miner and stole his gold.

The incident reportedly took place on Saturday, but the police released the information on Sunday morning.

According to the police in a statement, the arrests were made following a report that the lawmen murdered the Brazilian in the Puruni mining district.

“Initial enquiries revealed that the subordinate officer and constable of Kurupung Police Station abandoned the said station sometime on Friday morning, leaving on an ATV for patrol duties, armed with a.30 carbine rifle and subsequently joined a boat and proceeded to a landing along the Puruni River,” the police statement said.

The statement added that upon arrival at the landing sometime around midday on Saturday, the subordinate officer claimed that he remained in the boat while the constable armed with the rifle, exited and proceeded to a shop and shortly after, loud explosions were heard which caused him, the subordinate officer to proceed to the location and make enquiries.

It was also stated that the subordinate officer related that the constable told him that a male discharged a round at him and he returned fire.

The body of a male Brazilian was seen lying on the ground a short distance away and was picked up, placed in a boat and transported to the main landing.

Another subordinate officer and a detective constable who were in the area at the time have since commenced investigations into the incident.

They were at the time reportedly investigating reports of alleged threats. They arrived at the location, took away the weapon from the police constable who did the shooting and alerted the divisional commander about what had taken place.

The subordinate officer and the constable were removed from the location and arrangements were made to have another subordinate officer at the station.
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan expressed dismay at the incident.

“These rogue elements must be gotten rid of, they must not believe that they can do these things and get away with it and I can assure you that there will be severe penalties for these kinds of actions,” Ramjattan told the Guyana Chronicle in a telephone interview.
The minister said based on the report he received from the commissioner of police, the police appeared to have committed a homicide.

“Acting on the presumption of what was related to the police, they committed a homicide and due process would be had. We do not expect these kinds of actions from our policemen and they do these things sometimes thinking that [they] will be never be caught,” the minister said.

He has since commended members of the public for helping the police with their investigation and urged that rogue activities by police in remote locations be reported.
Ramjattan said every report against the police would be investigated and if they are found guilty, appropriate action will be taken.

The remains of the Brazilian have been transported to the city and is at the Memorial Gardens, located in Le Repentir Cemetery.