Cops’ numbers in slain bandit’s phone not evidence of collusion – Ramjattan

By Bibi Khatoon

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday morning confirmed that the cell phone numbers of four Police Officers were found in the telephone of a slain bandit.

But the Security Minister is adamant that this is not indicative of the cops’ involvement in corrupt activities.

“Phone numbers of Policemen can very well be in criminals’ telephone. It doesn’t mean that the Policeman is complicit with the criminal,” Ramjattan said at a press conference at his Ministry’s boardroom.

In an article published by the Stabroek News on Tuesday, it was disclosed that the numbers of four Policemen stationed in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) were found stored in the cellphone of Kelvin Shivgobin, who was killed by Police at Johanna South, Black Bush Polder, East Berbice-Corentyne on May 19.

The Stabroek News quoted a senior Police Officer.

The Public Security Minister said he would not be surprised to find the allegations are true since he has in the past spoke about rogue elements in the Guyana Police Force.

“In the security sector of every country, you will have some complicity sometimes with rogue elements [of] the law enforcement and criminals. If that is the case here, I wouldn’t be surprised,” he told the media.

He added, “we have to be cautious about what is being said in this whistleblowing episode.”

Ramjattan said a proper investigation needs to be done to get all the facts of the matter.

If found guilty, he assured that the cops will be criminally prosecuted.

“That’s illegal,” he noted.

When asked, Ramjattan confirmed that the whistleblower has come forward to speak with investigators. He said the next move is to get a statement from the witness and go through the telephone records of the slain criminal.

The Government in January 2018 passed the Whistleblower or Protected Disclosures Bill to combat corruption by encouraging and facilitating disclosures of improper conduct in the public and private sectors. The bill also aims to protect whistleblowers.

Kelvin Shivgobin in whose phone the numbers were found, was killed along with two other criminals, Ramnarine Jagmohan and Sewchand Sewdat known as ‘One Eye Pappy on May 19 at Black Bush Polder.

Shivgobin was on the run since the December 31st, 2018 murder of the Samaroo brothers. He was also a former murder accused and was said to be involved in a series of robberies.

In the men’s possession, five cellular phones were found along with cash, bulletproof vests and other items. https://admin.newsroom.gy/2019/05/20/over-half-a-million-dollars-253-live-ammo-bulletproof-vests-among-items-found-on-dead-bandits/