Probe launched into fight between cop, taxi driver

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has launched an investigation into an incident where one of its policemen was caught on camera ‘trading punches’ with a taxi driver on Tuesday morning.

Commissioner of Police (ag.) Clifton Hicken, in a statement, said the investigation “will be done with some degree of alacrity in an effort to mitigate against this type of behaviour.”

The incident occurred within the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Town Council. In the video seen by the News Room, the taxi driver was observed beating the cop who then retaliated.

The cop managed to pin the man to the ground and continued to punch him.

Persons in the area were also heard on the short 29 seconds clip shouting “beat him” but it is not clear whether they were referring to the policeman or the taxi driver.

The Top Cop is now appealing to the public to cooperate with the police, and for the police to do the same.  “The police does not and cannot operate in isolation, thus the need for partnership and cooperation between the police and the public – one that should be premised on mutual trust and cooperation while exploring every avenue to maintain law and order in society,” Hicken said in the statement.

Hicken further noted that the Police Force is working on postures and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) aimed at ensuring ranks are professional in the discharge of their duties, even in the face of harassment and intimidation from the public.