Repeatedly beating his chest, former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dr. Paul Williams made a call last night for Guyanese to “wake up,” and vote the PPP out of office.
Detailing that for the last five years, Guyana has been the subject of increasing crime and violence, injustice, human rights violations and corruption, Williams said it is time for the APNU to arrest the situation and get the country back on track.
The former Deputy Commissioner of Police is now an APNU Candidate in the upcoming elections.
Addressing APNU supporters at a rally in Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara on Sunday night, Mr. Williams said he was a victim of victimization under the current PPP Government.
He explained that in 2020 with still more than four years of service left within the Guyana Police Force, he was sent on leave by the PPP/C and was sidestepped from being elevated to lead the Police Force.
“They sidestepped me and deprived me of becoming the Commissioner of Police…I’ve done everything that is right with integrity, with honesty and in keeping with what is required but they see it fit to set me aside because they know I would not have been one of their candidates for wickedness and corruption,” Williams said.
Williams said it was under the APNU+AFC Administration that the country’s crime rate saw the biggest reduction.
He said the Police Force under the current Government has become demoralized with poor leadership that is supported by the Government.
Citing a 2022 Report of the Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Williams said of the 194 complaints received, four were in connection to fatal shootings involving Policemen.
He said in those cases, it was recommended that charges be laid against those policemen but those recommendations were ignored.
“When the recommendations were made for charges to be laid against those policemen, no charges were laid. They were encouraged to go and the settle matter, and also there were other corrupt behavior trying to pervert the course of justice,” he said.
He accused the Irfaan Ali Administration of turning a blind eye to these injustices, and failing to take appropriate action against the Head of the Police Force.
Citing the case of Essequibo Businessman Orin Boston, who was shot dead in his bed by the Police in 2021, the former Deputy Police Commissioner said Justice Sandil Kissoon in sentencing the SWAT officer to 25 years in prison, described the actions of the Police as unjust and unlawful.
He said while a rank has been sentenced to 25 years in jail, it must be noted that the instructions to invade without a warrant came from those at the top, and they too should have been held responsible.
Williams said the poor handling of the Adriana Younge case came as no surprise, as the PPP/C has reduced the force to puppetry.
“You can see definitely where the force has come to. They have destroyed every fabric of the culture that is built by our predecessors. They have destroyed all the camaraderie and everything in the force. They have burned bridges with those retired senior officers, both from the joint services and who could have still lend a helping hand in terms of bringing them through this situation and circumstances. But no! They need those who they can make puppets and those who can go with their bids and continue with the wrong. And still, you want to see those people serving you?”, he questioned.
The former Deputy Commissioner of Police said come September 1, Guyanese must vote to make a change that begins with the removal of PPP/C from office. (Svetlana Marshall)
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