NCJ Number
174507
Journal
Policing Volume: 21 Issue: 3 Dated: 1998 Pages: 465-478
Date Published
1998
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article examines compliance of the Guyana Police Force with legal requirements concerning use of deadly force.
Abstract
The article examines the laws of Guyana regarding police power to use deadly force, and analyzes 24 cases of police-caused homicide to determine whether deadly force was used in accordance with these laws and the rule of law. Guyana police exceeded their power to use deadly force in a sizable proportion of the cases cited in this article. The Guyana legal system was not a viable source of redress for citizens, and the statutory Authority responsible for external review could offer little more than a sympathetic ear to citizensþ complaints of abuses. Protection of the fundamental right to life requires constitutional and legislative action to clarify and limit the circumstances under which deadly force may legitimately be used. The current wide-ranging powers for police use of deadly force are inconsistent with the democratic principles of limited government under the rule of law. Table, note, references, cases cited