Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham yesterday said the investigation into the confrontation between members of the Guyana Fire Service and the Guyana Police Force at the Guyana National Stadium has not been completed and remains ongoing.
Speaking with Kiskadee Watch, Wickham said he was unable to provide any further details while the investigation is in progress.
His comments came as a video circulated widely on social media last week showing a uniformed firefighter being physically restrained by several traffic police ranks following an incident involving a fire tender and a vehicle attached to the Ministry of Housing and Water.
In a statement, police had said they are investigating the incident, which occurred at about 11:41 hrs at the National Stadium in Providence.
A 50-year-old leading fireman was driving the fire tender when, while attempting to exit a gate on the eastern side of the tarmac, the vehicle struck a portable light pole. The pole then fell on to a motor vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Housing and Water, damaging the driver’s side door and fender.
Police said that while officers were conducting investigations at the scene, a commotion broke out involving the fire tender’s driver, police ranks and other members of the Guyana Fire Service.
The disturbance, the police said, arose as ranks attempted to have the firefighter accompany them as part of the investigative process.
The video shows at least four traffic ranks surrounding a firefighter dressed in a dark blue Guyana Fire Service uniform beside the parked fire tender. The ranks are seen grabbing him by his arms and upper body and attempting to escort him away.
The firefighter appears to resist, resulting in a physical struggle during which he is pulled and dragged across the roadway by several officers as fellow firefighters and bystanders look on and shout during the confrontation.
Neither the Guyana Fire Service nor the Guyana Police Force has yet disclosed whether anyone has been arrested or whether disciplinary action is being considered as investigations continue.
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