SEVERAL persons who were “wrongfully” arrested and placed in the Springlands Police Station lock-up and then had their mugshot published in a local online media outlet are demanding a public apology from the Guyana Police Force and the news entity. Kimberly Hoyte, 21, a mother of two of Dukeston, Corriverton, East Berbice, Corentyne recalled that a group of police officers surrounded her home around 21:00 hrs on Saturday and demanded to search it. The woman explained that she complied, and, even though nothing was found, she was subsequently arrested and taken to the Springlands Police Station and placed in the lock-up. She noted later in the night she was joined by two other young women, Sheniza Felix, of Scottsburg and Latoya Gilgeous.

A teen was also arrested but was not placed in the cell. The teen at the time was spending holiday at her relatives. She too said the incident has left her traumatised. At around 03:00 hrs, the women were taken out from the cell and made to hold a card alleging that they received stolen articles. Hoyte said the incident has affected her mentally. “I start crying because I say my reputation and job at risk then the female officer came in and asked the Corporal those girls on Facebook, who did that? And he tell she wha he gon do? The entire situation has had a negative on my life and mental health. First time ever I was arrested, locked and accused of something I didn’t even know about,” Hoyte.

Meanwhile, Felix of Scottsburg, Corriverton noted that the police collected a flat screen television from her home but she had a receipt for the purchase of said television. “I want to take legal action for defamation of character. I need them to clear my name and let my pictures come off the Internet. I want them to get to the bottom of it and find who was responsible for sending out the pictures. It was insulting to me and my family. People laughing me all and its very hurtful to me. My name is tarnished. Whoever is responsible should be held accountable. I don’t want anyone else to go through such insulting experience,” she stated. According to Mark Matthews, 18, the entire situation has embarrassed him. Matthews explained that he and a friend were on their way to drop another friend home and while they were in the street they noticed the police. As they slowed down, the police began to tap on their car. He and the two other friends were arrested and were subsequently booked for robbery under arms. He too is demanding a public apology. Since the incident people had been looking at him differently, the teen said.

“I riding today and people just looking at me. I only finish school couple months now and my reputation just sink cause they do that,” the young man related. His friend, Shaundy Grimes, 20, said, “I want justice”. Three other individuals who were arrested also expressed similar sentiments via their social media. Commander of B Division, Jairam Ramlakhan has since issued an apology to two of the aggrieved persons. He stressed that an investigation has been launched and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is also investigating the incident.