Guyana Police Force apologizes to MP Patterson for watchlist oversight

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Wednesday extended their apologies to David Patterson, Opposition Member of Parliament, following an oversight that left his name mistakenly on an immigration department watchlist.

Travel obstacle unveiled

This acknowledgment came promptly after Patterson experienced travel disruptions on Tuesday.

The MP was barred from boarding a U.S-bound flight, causing him to miss crucial meetings with Members of Congress.

According to the GPF’s statement, the inadvertent error originated in July 2023 amid an ongoing police investigation related to an accusation of indecent exposure against Patterson.

The MP’s name was not timely removed due to internal procedural mishaps within the Guyana Police Force.

Internal review underway

To address and rectify the lapse, the GPF has initiated an internal review.

Reports are that the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is conducting a thorough probe into the matter, diving deep into the reasons behind the delay in removing Patterson’s name from the sensitive list.

In light of the situation, corrective measures have been enacted, with Patterson’s name duly removed from the watchlist.

After the rectification, the MP, representing the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, successfully departed from Guyana.

In an interview with Demerara Waves Online News, Patterson said he planned to sue the state.