– say reward aims to advance investigation into murder of Berbice teens

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday rejected the assertion by Attorney Nigel Hughes that the $3M reward being offered for information into the murders of West Berbice teens Isaiah Henry, Joel Henry and Haresh Singh was an admission of failure.
Assistant Commissioner of Police and Press Officer Royston Andries-Junor said in a missive that the offering of a reward is an effort towards advancing investigations with a view to solving the crimes.

Further, he said a monetary reward made by a law-enforcement agency for information from the public is an internationally recognised and accepted method to assist criminal investigators and is one utilised from time immemorial.

“While the GPF is unsure of the agenda of Mr Hughes, and does not wish to speculate, what is certain is that his unfortunate utterances are neither in the best interest of the current investigations, nor the consolation of the bereaved family on whose behalf he is acting since such statements have the propensity to undermine the public’s confidence in the GPF and the investigations,” the assistant commissioner said.

The press officer noted that the investigation into the murders received significant assistance from the CARICOM Regional Security System (RSS) team of investigators who have opined that the police have done extensive work in the probe and has the competence to see it to completion.

“The GPF is continuing diligently and is assuring the public that it will remain resolute in its assiduous efforts,” Andries-Junor noted

Shortly after the police released their perspective, attorney Nigel Hughes said, “I am impressed with the alacrity with which the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has found it possible to respond to statements made during the press conference held by the Henry family.”

Hughes continued: “Perhaps if the same diligence, commitment and speed had been applied to the investigation of the murders of the young Henry boys we might all have been in a different place today. I have no doubt that the GPF noted the presence of the immediate relatives of Joel and Isaiah Henry at the press conference and it was with their full, prior informed consent and on their behalf that all statements were made at the press conference.”
Hughes said that it is his personal hope that the necessity for press conferences and press releases can be obviated by a successful conclusion of the investigation leading to the prosecution and conviction of those responsible.