Guyana Police Force accuses Guyanese-American activist of false NYPD report

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has denied accusations made by Guyanese-American political activist Rickford Burke regarding a complaint he allegedly filed with the New York Police Department (NYPD). 

Burke claimed that a GPF officer served him with a court summons at his residence last week, prompting his supposed report to the NYPD. 

However, the GPF has refuted Burke’s claims, stating that there is no record of any such report with the NYPD.

GPF disputes Burke’s NYPD report

The GPF has released an official statement, asserting that they have reached out to senior officials at the NYPD who confirmed that Burke did not file any complaint against a GPF officer or the process server who delivered legal documents to him in New York. 

Despite Burke’s public insistence to the contrary, the GPF maintains that there was no wrongdoing in the process of serving these legal documents. 

The police force categorizes Burke’s allegations as a “fabrication of untruths” and considers them to be motivated by malice and mischief.

Warning against false reports

In response to these allegations, the Guyana Police Force has issued a reminder to Burke and others that filing a false police report is illegal. 

They underscore their commitment to upholding local and international law in their actions.

Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) challenges GPF

The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), an organization headed by Rickford Burke, has fired back at the GPF, accusing them of dishonesty and questioning their credibility. 

CGID cited past instances where the GPF had been accused of providing false information. 

The organization encouraged Guyanese individuals, both in their home country and in the diaspora, to continue exercising their right to free speech.

Legal proceedings await Burke

Rickford Burke has received a summons to appear in the Vigilance Magistrate’s court on March 28th, 2024, in connection with a series of charges. 

These charges include incitement of hostility or ill-will on the grounds of race, sedition, inciting public terror, and seditious libel.