Six police ranks have been placed under close arrest as investigators widen their probe into the death of 32-year-old Gavin Kennard Douglas in police custody, with the Guyana Police Force indicating that more ranks could be arrested.
In its latest update on Tuesday, the Force said three ranks attached to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station and one from the La Parfaite Harmonie Police Station were placed under close arrest and questioned on Monday, November 2.
Two other ranks from La Parfaite Harmonie were subsequently placed under close arrest and are also being questioned by investigators from the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
“As the OPR investigators widen their investigation, other ranks are likely to be arrested,” the Force stated.
Douglas, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, died on Saturday, October 31, after being taken into custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station.
The latest arrests come against the backdrop of post-mortem findings that Douglas died from a brain haemorrhage due to blunt trauma. Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh conducted the examination on Monday, during which two Taser studs were removed from Douglas’ body and lodged as exhibits, according to an earlier police statement.
The investigation has also been marked by conflicting accounts of Douglas’ treatment while in custody.
Police initially said he was arrested in connection with an alleged armed robbery committed on October 28 at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. According to that account, he arrived at the station at approximately 11:36 a.m. and became aggressive and resisted ranks while being placed into the lockups around noon.
The Force said Douglas was restrained and later found frothing at the mouth during a check at approximately 12:45 p.m. Its initial statement said he was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.
However, Terrence Kishore, a man arrested alongside Douglas, disputed the claim that Douglas resisted entering the cell.
In an interview with journalist Leroy Smith, previously reported by this publication, Kishore alleged that Douglas’ hands were secured behind his back with a plastic tie strap and that he saw four officers obtain tasers. He called for the release of surveillance footage from the station.
“Now, I want the police bring out the footage,” Kishore said.
Douglas’ father, Devon Douglas, has also alleged police brutality and demanded justice for his son.
