A video circulating on social media today shows a member of the Guyana Fire Service being physically restrained and dragged by several traffic police ranks during what witnesses have alleged was an arrest following an incident involving a vehicle belonging to a government official.
The footage, which lasts just over one minute, shows at least four uniformed traffic ranks surrounding a man dressed in a dark blue Guyana Fire Service uniform beside a fire tender parked along a public roadway.
Police moments ago said in a statement that they are investigating the incident which occurred earlier today, about 11:41 hours, at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, involving a fire tender and a motor vehicle attached to the Ministry of Housing and Water.
“Enquiries disclosed that a 50-year-old Leading Fireman attached to the Guyana Fire Service was driving the fire tender at the time. While attempting to exit a gate from the eastern side of the tarmac, the fire tender came into contact with a portable light pole, which then struck the motor vehicle that was parked on the eastern side of the tarmac,” the police shared.
As a result, the motor vehicle sustained damage to the right-side driver’s door and fender.
During the course of the investigation at the scene, police reported that a commotion occurred involving the driver of the fire tender, Police ranks, and other Guyana Fire Service ranks. The commotion reportedly stemmed from efforts to have the driver accompany ranks as part of the investigative process.
Meanwhile, in the video, the ranks are seen grabbing the firefighter by his arms and upper body and attempting to escort him away from the scene. The firefighter appears to resist at several points, resulting in a physical struggle during which he is pulled and dragged by multiple officers while onlookers gather nearby.
The video further shows the firefighter being moved across the roadway by the ranks as persons in the vicinity shout and observe the confrontation.
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