The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is categorically refuting repeated allegations made in the media about the constitutional rights of Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, being denied or breached by officers.
“This is far from the truth,” the police said in a statement today.
Shortly after Clairmont Mingo arrived at the CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, following his arrest on Tuesday 25 August 2020, Attorney Darren Wade, turned up and demanded an immediate conference with Mingo, whom he said was his client.
The Police Rank on duty allegedly directed the Attorney to a designated area where access to his client would be granted after the rank had completed making the necessary entries in the Police records.
According to police, instead of waiting in the area indicated, and without any explanation, Wade immediately left the CID Headquarters and met with several members of the media on the roadway, where he spoke with them and during which, he proceeded to make some false allegations, the police force said.
“Noteworthy, however, is the fact that after this, the Attorney returned into the CID Headquarters where he met with his client Mr Mingo. GPF also wishes to state that it remains ready, able and willing to engage with members of the Legal Profession to ensure that their constitutional rights and those persons they represent are respected at all times and that there is due process,” the statement read.
It continued, “In this regard however, the Police Force expects that Attorneys-at-Law to conduct themselves in a professional manner and with a due sense of responsibility in keeping with the ethical standard required of the Legal Profession. Unfortunately that expected level of professionalism was not evident in this instance.”
The Guyana Police Force said that it must be recognised that there are designated areas at Police locations which allow for privileged conversations. Consequently, members of the the public and of the Legal Profession who engage members of the GPF at any Police location ought to follow the directions of any Police Rank/Ranks on duty as it relates to access to persons in Police custody.
