Police officer accused of brutality placed under close arrest

Georgetown : Cognizant of publications made by the media in relation to an alleged assault of one Colwyn Harding by a police rank at the Timehri Police Station, the Guyana Police Force this afternoon released this statement.
Colwyn Harding was in police custody between November 15 and November 18, 2013, at the Timehri Police Station pending investigations into a report of Break and Enter and Larceny. During that period he committed the offences of assaulting peace officer and disorderly behaviour for which he was charged and appeared in court on November 18, 2013.
Colwyn Harding was placed on bail in the sum of $50,000.00, but he was unable to raise this sum and was remanded to prison. The matters are still before the court.
The Administration of the Police Force was first informed of the alleged assault by the police of Colwyn Harding by way of a text message from a female to the Commissioner of Police during December 2013.
Consequently, an investigation was launched by the Divisional Commander of ‘A’ Division under which the Timehri Police Station falls, but this has been found to be incomplete.
The Commissioner of Police has now directed that the Police Office of Professional Responsibility take over the investigation which is expected to be completed shortly.
In the mean while, the policeman who has been accused of the alleged assault has been placed under close arrest and a number of other ranks stationed at the Timehri Police Station have been transferred to other Police locations.
The Guyana Police Force state that unbecoming behaviour by members of the Force will not be tolerated and condign action will be taken against any rank found culpable of such action.