THE Public Relations Department of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) has called on the media to call the department and officers in charge for clarifications before publishing information that it said can damage the reputation of the City Council.

A case in point is the article that was published recently in the Kaieteur News, whereby a number of allegations were published without the agency first contacting Chief Constable Andrew Foo or his deputy Laurel Gittens for comments.

The newspaper reported that Corporal Quacy Baveghens, the officer who last year witnessed a notorious sex act on a minor in the City Constabulary, is being victimised after he had testified at the recently concluded Commission of Inquiry into the operations of City Hall.
It spoke about a number of deplorable conditions that Baveghens has to endure at the Princes Street incinerator and store depot, where he has since been posted.

Chief Constable Andrew Foo on Wednesday told reporters at City Hall that the duties of those who are stationed at the Regent Street outpost, including Baveghens, tend to rotate.

He said the information that was fed to the media was intended to create mischief and bring the council into disrepute.

Foo said Baveghens was asked to check in at City Hall, so that it can be ascertained whether or not he was the one who spoke to Kaieteur News; and that if he is indeed the one, departmental action can range from a warning letter to suspension.

Foo explained that at every two weeks, the officers are rotated and that this time around, it was simply Baveghens turn to go to the Princes Street location. “Each rank spends two weeks at each location. Everyone has to go there and everyone has their fair share.”

The chief constable also noted that if it was in fact Baveghens who complained to the press, then it would mean that he breached the channel and systems in place at the municipality. Instead of talking to the media, he should have first consulted with Foo or his deputy.

Public Relations Officer Debra Lewis offered that the officers at City Hall should have been contacted on the matter. “They should have called me or the chief constable to seek clarification. I’m asking that in future; please contact us.”

Assistant Superintendent, Administration, Peter Livingstone reminded that the Regent Street outpost has responsibility for security at the Princes Street incinerator and store depot.

He offered that if Baveghens is guilty of speaking with the press, then it means that he is being vindictive “and has some axe to grind with the chief constable,” he said.

Livingstone said Baveghens was not asked to do anything strange; but that he wants to be allowed to do as he pleases.

Contacted on Wednesday, Baveghens told the Guyana Chronicle that he does not have the authority to speak with the press and hence denied ever speaking with Kaieteur News.