Cop who beat vendor transferred to TSU

A Police Officer who recently found himself in hot water for beating a vendor to his face with a handcuff has since been transferred to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

This was revealed by Commissioner of Police Leslie James during a press conference earlier this week.

The officer, whose name has been given as Constable Watson, was transferred from the Ruimveldt Police Station to the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) after he brutally beat the vendor.

The incident occurred at the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown December 5 and was caught on camera.

The vendor, Quincy Letlow was being arrested for reportedly stealing a snapper valued $6,000 

James told the media this week that the investigation has been concluded and the Force is awaiting advice from the Police Legal Advisor. He said in the meantime, Constable Watson was transferred to TSU.

James, after he was appointed to head the force in August 2018, had said delinquent officers will no longer be shuffled around the Force after committing any crime.

However, he defended transferring Constable Watson to the TSU noting that the Unit is a training ground.

“No department is being used or should be referred to as a dumping ground. That is still our policy,” he said.

However, he added that there will be occasions when ranks ought to be sent to the TSU.

James said, “the TSU as you know, it is a paramilitary type, most of its work resembles militants, training with weapons and such…ranks would be sent there to engage with those type of activities and training and we monitor them after which they can be sent to other departments.”

In Thursday’s edition of the Kaieteur Newspaper, there is another report of a rank who was transferred from the Ogle Airport to the TSU following allegations of collusion with drug traffickers.

Several officers have found themselves at the center of investigations over the past months for abusing citizens during arrests.

Currently, two cops who are sons of a senior police officer are under investigation for torturing a teen at their Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara home on December 12.