DAYS after the mother of the teen who was shot in his mouth refused the offer of a $1M-settlement, the Guyana Police Force has reassured her that the matter is being investigated.

And yesterday, Marcel Griffith, the teen’s mother, was afforded a hearing with the head of the Police Office for Professional Responsibility (OPR), Mr Heeralall Mackenlall, from whom got an update about the status of the investigation.
The meeting came about after the mother began picketing various offices of the Guyana Police Force to call for swift action in the prosecution of the cadet police officer who allegedly shot her son in the mouth.
The woman earlier in the week told reporters that the investigation seems to be going in a certain direction and she feels as if she will get no justice for her son as the police seem reluctant to charge the errant rank.
However, last week this publication was informed that the matter first had to be investigated by the police OPR and then it would be sent to the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
A senior police officer informed that the persons who were on the patrol at the time that the shooting occurred cannot be charged just like that since the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the boy must first be investigated.
That investigation will then determine who did what and who did not act according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). When that aspect is completed and the file is sent to the PCA chairman, he will make recommendations after his leg of the investigation.
The mater will then be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions with the findings of both the PCA and the OPR before directions are given to the police with respect to any charges.
Meanwhile the rank who shot the 15-year-old has been taken off of close arrest after the 72 hours detention period expired. However the force has been keeping in contact with him constantly and the assurance was given that the man will not be able to skip the country and course of justice as in previous cases.
Griffith yesterday expressed a total disappointment and loss of confidence in the new police commissioner after she said that he failed to meet with her on such a critical issue. According to her, she was informed by an aide to the Top Cop that he was locked in meetings.

(By Leroy Smith)