GUYANA POLICE FORCE TACTICAL SERVICES UNIT
- EVE LEARY
- KINGSTON, GEORGETOWN
- TEL: 02-63421
Welcome - this page is designed to showcase the Tactical Services Unit [which is affectionately referred to as the "riot squad"] of the Guyana Police Force.
The Tactical Services Unit [the "TSU"], is the public order division of the Guyana Police Force and it is responsible for preservation of the peace, maintenance of law and order, apprehending offenders, and enforcing laws. The Tactical Services Unit under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner [Operations] is responsible for: providing the force and the public with a highly trained and specialized policemen to deal with emergency situations such as crowd control, riots, high risk escorts, and security of government officials and dignitaries requiring a high level of security.
The Tactical Services Unit also provides ceremonial police honour guards at the opening of the high courts and other special functions for the Force and the Country.
Parade of the Tactical Services Unit at the Tactical Services Unit Square, Eve Leary, in Honour of retiring Senior Superintendent Arlington Samuels, D.S.M., Commander, T.S.U. (99.02.05)
L - R, Retiring Senior Superintendent Arlington Samuels, D.S.M. and Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis, D.S.S. at Farewell Parade. Background to the Commissioner's Lewis left in uniform is Assistant Commissioner Paul Slowe, D.S.M.(99.02.05)
Following the elections in December 1997 which resulted in a victory for the People's Progressive Party (the "PPP") and protestations of "rigging" by the People's National Congress (the "PNC"), supporters of the PNC had taken to the streets of Georgetown protesting what they are calling an illegal government led by President Jagan. A state of emergency was declared in the City of Georgetown by the Prime Minister, who had responsibility for Home Affairs. In making this announcement, Prime Minister, Sam Hinds stated that the police and army will be enforcing this order "to the fullest extent in the city of Georgetown". Under the Public Order Act Chapter 16:03 the Minister of Homde Affairs can order a state of emergeny in order to maintain peace, order and public safety.
All public meetings, gatherings, assemblies, marches and other forms of protestations were prohibited in Georgetown, Guyana. The areas affected includes the area bordered on the north by the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by the eastern boundary of the company path on the eastern side of Plantations Cummings Lodge, Houston and Rome, on the south by the southern boundary of Plantation Rome and on the west by the Demerara River.
This proclamation was lifted the week of August 17th, 1998 by President Janet Jagan in response to the confidence building measures emanating from the dialogue process between the ruling PPP and opposition PNC leaders which has curtailed further street protests and clashes with the police.
The following points must be noted in respect to the powers which the Guyana Police Force's, Tactical Services Unit have in respect to riots and public disturbances.:
An unlawful assembly is an assembly of twelve or more persons who, with intent to carry out any common purpose, assemble in such a manner or so conduct themselves when they are assembled as to cause persons in the neighbourhood of the assembly to fear, on reasonable grounds, that they
(a) will disturb the peace tumultuously; or
(b) will by that assembly needlessly and without reasonable cause provoke other persons to disturb the peace
tumultuously.
(a) a justice, mayor or police officer, or the lawful deputy of a mayor or police,
who receives notice that, at any place within the jurisdiction of the person, twelve or more persons are unlawfully and
riotously assembled together shall go to that place and, after approaching as near as is safe, if the person is satisfied that a
riot is in progress, shall command silence and thereupon make or cause to be made in a loud voice a proclamation in the
following words or to the like effect:
"Her Excellency the President charges and commands all persons being assembled immediately to disperse and peaceably to
depart to their habitations or to their lawful business on the pain of being guilty of an offence for which, on conviction,
they may be sentenced to imprisonment for life by orderes of the President.
Where the proclamation has been made it is the duty of a police officer and of a person who is lawfully required by him to assist, to disperse or to arrest persons who do not comply with the proclamation.
Tactical Services Unit in Action on High Street in Georgetown, Guyana.
Guyana Police Force Beat Duty Officers performing Crowd Control Duties in Georgetown, Guyana.
Tactical Services Unit in Action on Regent Street in Georgetown, Guyana.
Tactical Services Unit in "Box Formation" on Regent Street in Georgetown, Guyana.
Protesters taunting Tactical Services Unit Officers on the streets of Georgetown, Guyana.
Tactical Sevices Unit Officers being taunted by trespassers occupying the Baird's estate at Non Pareil on the East Coast of Demerara (98.08.25)
links
Commissioner of Police and Command Officers
History of the Guyana Police Force
This page was written by A/Commr P. Slowe, D.S.M., BSc. and S. Pieters, B.A.
To write to Assistant Commissioner Slowe [email protected]
This page was updated on February 14, 1999.
© 1999 All rights reserved.
