raffic ranks will be equipped with taser guns to protect themselves during enforcement operations.
The decision comes as traffic officers face mounting challenges in executing their responsibilities, particularly from citizens who are increasingly breaking traffic laws and resisting lawful orders, police said in a release.
Some offenders have even resorted to physically attacking the unarmed officers.
Several social media posts have shown members of the public violently resisting and assaulting police officers in uniform with apparent impunity. The Guyana Police Force said it has initiated training for its ranks in the use of less-than-lethal and non-lethal force.
“No longer will members of the public be allowed to violently assault members of the Force with impunity when enforcing the laws. All offenders are forewarned that whoever commits traffic violations and do not cooperate with the Police as is mandated by the Constitution of Guyana will be dealt with as provided for by law,” said Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh.
Traffic ranks are now expected to carry tasers as a minimum non-lethal option to subdue aggressive offenders, with the goal of ensuring their safety and upholding the law.
“I want to re-emphasise that this type of behaviour by our citizens will not be condoned by the Guyana Police Force, more so the Department. Anyone found committing any traffic offence in this country and when challenge by our traffic officers resort to violently resisting and assaulting them will be met with the full force of the law,” the Traffic Chief said.
“I have given instructions to all traffic officers throughout the country to continue enforcing the laws as mandated by the Police Act Chapter 16:01 and be prepared to deal condignly with violators who would attempt to resist them violently,” he declared.
Offenders who violently attack traffic officers will be tased, arrested, and prosecuted according to the law. The tasers, a tool of minimum non-lethal force, will be used strictly within the legal framework to ensure that law enforcement can carry out its mandate effectively and safely, the release said.
