Crime Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police, Wendell Blanhum, has pushed back against prevailing public perceptions regarding the dismissal of criminal cases in Guyana. Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a training workshop for investigators and prosecutors, Blanhum highlighted the complex realities that often lead to case dismissals, emphasizing that such outcomes are frequently outside the control of the police.
Blanhum acknowledged that while police ranks put significant effort into building robust cases, they face widespread criticism whenever those matters fail to secure a conviction. He noted that while public commentators often attribute these failures to systemic delays, the reality is significantly more nuanced.
According to the Crime Chief, a primary driver for many dismissals is not a failure in investigation, but rather external challenges regarding witnesses. He identified the following hurdles:
Witness Reluctance: Many individuals are hesitant to testify or attend court proceedings.
Untraceable Witnesses: Key witnesses often become impossible for authorities to locate by the time a case reaches trial.
The Crime Chief observed that when cases are dismissed—whether due to insufficient evidence, procedural irregularities, or the absence of witnesses—the “court of public opinion” typically assigns blame to the entire criminal justice system rather than focusing on any single agency.
To combat these perceptions and improve success rates, Blanhum argued that a multifaceted approach is required. He stressed that strengthening the collaboration between investigators and prosecutors is essential to ensuring that the justice system remains both efficient and effective in the face of these ongoing external challenges.
