Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn has put Police Officers on notice that members of the public have a right to video record or take photographs of them in the execution of their duties.

Speaking at the Police Sergeant and Inspectors conference, Minister Benn said the Police should not be afraid of being recorded if their public actions can withstand scrutiny.

He said every Officer should represent the Police Force in an acceptable manner and therefore persons must conduct themselves with respect.

“I keep telling police, the public has a right to video and record police behaviour, they have that right, you can’t tell people they cannot video you, even if they come in my office, they are free to video or tape me and I can do that back to them too, we must not prevent people from taking pictures or videos of our engagement,” Benn told the officers.

On the other hand, the Home Affairs Minister said the Police Ranks are outfitted with body cameras which they ought to use to dispute any false narratives which are being peddled or which contradicts anything that is said about them when they are being video recorded.

He however said he is concerned about the growing number of incidents involving verbal and physical confrontations between the Police and civilians.

“I say, I don’t want police man cursing, cursing between themselves, the station, the public and their families, I want welcome signs at police stations, it must be a welcoming place for the public,” the Home Affairs Minister noted.

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken also cautioned ranks about fighting with civilians. He said ranks must at all times exercise restraint and try to de-escalate situations, otherwise they stand to embarrass the Guyana Police Force.

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