Police disputes Henry family’s assault claims during traffic stop; Family stands by story

Two members of the Henry family were arrested and eventually released on bail last evening after the Police accused them of assaulting an officer during a traffic stop. But the Henry family has said, it was the Police who did the assaulting.

Police disputes Henry family’s assault claims during traffic stop; Family stands by story

The Guyana Police Force is reminding drivers that failing to produce a driver’s license when requested to do so, is an offense.

The Guyana Police Force and the relatives of murdered Berbice teens Isaiah and Joel Henry got into a war of words today after an altercation last evening during a traffic stop at Sparendaam.

Two members of the Henry family were arrested and eventually released on bail last evening after the Police accused them of assaulting an officer during a traffic stop. But the Henry family has said, it was the Police who did the assaulting.

Three members of the family were heading back to Berbice last evening after meeting with their Attorney and the Argentine Forensic Expert when they were pulled over by the Police during a roadblock.

After carrying out a search of the vehicle that did not unearth anything, the Police requested to see the driver’s license for the young man behind the steering wheel. He reportedly explained that he forgot his license at home but had a photograph of it in his phone.

The Police Officer, according to the family, did not want to see that and told the young man to park the car and go into the station building.

When the young man refused, a confrontation broke out as the Police tried to push him into the building and the family pushed back.

Part of the incident was captured on a mobile phone recording.

Eventually, two of the family members, including the mother of one of the dead Henry boys, was arrested for disorderly behaviour and assault.

In a statement today, Police Commissioner Nigel Hoppie, refuted the assault claims put forward by the family’s Attorney Nigel Hughes.

The Police Commissioner said violent threats were made against the Police Officers during the arrest and one of the officers suffered damage to his uniform. He said an investigation into the matter has been launched.

The Guyana Police Force has in the past reminded its officers and the general public, that failure to produce a driver’s license is a ticketable offence.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login