The mother of Gavin Kennard Douglas, who died while in custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, has expressed deep distress over the treatment meted out to her son, describing the incident as one of the most brutal acts she has ever witnessed and calling for those responsible to be held accountable.
The grieving mother, Collette Jones, who is also a member of the Guyana Police Force, said she was still struggling to understand how her son was treated, insisting that regardless of his circumstances, he did not deserve what happened to him.
“I have never seen no one, no matter how bad they are, brutalise anyone like that at Vreed-en-Hoop,” she said in an interview with Kiskadee Watch yesterday, adding that she was particularly disturbed by the manner in which ranks dealt with her son.
She said she was awaiting the completion of the police investigation before making any further public statements, but noted that she expected a thorough examination of the circumstances surrounding his death.
The woman said she had been assured by the regional commander that the investigation would continue in collaboration with the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), including the examination of video footage from the station.
“He said he would continue to work with OPR on running the video,” she explained, adding that the investigation was not yet completed as investigators still had to review the recordings and take the necessary time to establish what transpired. “I trust they will do a proper investigation,” she said, adding that she was told that all persons involved would be called in for questioning.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on November 2 found that Douglas died from a brain haemorrhage caused by blunt trauma to the head. Two taser studs were also removed from his body and lodged as exhibits. The examination also recorded blunt trauma to his abdomen.
The mother raised concerns about the use of tasers by police ranks, questioning whether officers were adequately trained in their use and whether the devices were being deployed indiscriminately. She further questioned the circumstances under which Douglas ended up at the police station, saying he was reportedly wanted in connection with a robbery investigation.
She said she did not believe the account that police were searching for him, noting that he had dropped her off at the station and passed there on multiple occasions recently.
According to her, a dispute reportedly developed when ranks wanted Douglas to remove his clothing and he refused. However, she said the circumstances surrounding what followed remained baffling to her.
The woman said she was particularly troubled by the treatment of her son, noting that she had never witnessed anyone being subjected to such brutality.
She described Douglas as a fighter but said that, beyond his “road life,” he was also a caring and helpful person who would readily turn up whenever someone needed assistance. “He will be missed. He was very helpful. Always showed up to help,” she said.
She also reflected on her position as a member of the police force, saying it had made it difficult for her to respond publicly in the manner she otherwise would have. “Because of my job, I can’t respond like I want to. That’s how they are getting off. If I wasn’t a member of the force, I would have responded to people,” she said.
The mother said she was trying to control her emotions and was waiting for the investigation to conclude before deciding on her next course of action. She maintained that police officers should remember that they, too, have families and children who they would not want subjected to similar treatment. “Nuff of them shading under this police uniform. They have children and they wouldn’t like anyone to brutalise their children like that,” she said, adding, “He didn’t deserve what happened.”
The mother said she believed in accountability and justice, adding that she would take the necessary steps once the investigation was completed.
Douglas, 32, of Lot 416 Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was a father of one who worked as a taxi driver and occasionally undertook construction work. He died last October 31 after after being taken into custody at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station in connection with an alleged armed robbery committed on October 28 at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.
According to the police, he was escorted to the station at approximately 11:36 hours after being arrested at a roadblock while driving motorcar PAL 2278.
Police subsequently reported that Douglas became aggressive and resisted ranks while being placed in the lock-ups at about midday. He was restrained and placed in the cell, but during a check at approximately 12:45 hours, ranks reportedly found him frothing at the mouth. He was rushed to the West DemeraraRegional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.
His death raised serious concerns from relatives, who questioned the circumstances surrounding his detention and the injuries they observed on his body. His mother had shared that she went to the station only to find her son already stretched out. She later reported hearing that he had allegedly been tasered three times.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Six police ranks have since been placed under close arrest and questioned in connection with the matter, as investigators continue to examine the events leading to his death.
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