Region Three Police Commander transferred in aftermath of Adriana Younge’s death

Last Updated on Saturday, 3 May 2025, 12:25 by Writer

Assistant Police Commissioner Khalid Mandall was transferred from his post as Commander for Region Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) on Friday, amid public calls for him to be removed over the regional police’s handling of the disappearance and subsequent death of an 11-year-old girl at a hotel in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo.

The Police Force did not give a specific reason for Mr Mandall’s transfer, but the decision was contained in an update on the probe into the death of Adriana Younge.

Mr Mandall would be returning to Regional Division #4B, while Assistant Commissioner, Mahindra Siewnarine has been posted to Regional Division #3 to replace Mr Mandall as Commander.

The Police Force said “a number of police ranks of Regional Division #3 were also questioned” about the incident that has rocked Tuschen and the wider Guyanese community.

The discovery of Younge’s body in the pool on Thursday, in contradiction to the Police Force’s statement Wednesday night that the girl was seen earlier in the day entering an identifiable vehicle triggered outrage including the razing of the proprietor’s hotel and his house.

Declaring that “certain details” in that statement were inaccurate, the police force said the then Divisional Commander Mandall and all ranks involved in the preparation and dissemination of the initial report were expected to be interviewed, and appropriate actions taken to prevent future occurrences of this nature.

“The Guyana Police Force assures that a comprehensive investigation will be carried out to determine every action taken by the police. The circumstances under which inaccurate information was disseminated, including what led to such information, will also be thoroughly examined,” the law enforcement agency has said.

The police force on Friday night said it was pushing ahead with its investigations.

The law enforcement agency said investigators have questioned a number of persons, including the proprietor of Double Day Hotel and Bar and his employees.

Additionally, a security guard attached to the hotel, along with a swimming instructor, was interviewed by detectives. A number of police ranks of Regional Division #3 were also questioned.

“At this juncture, the investigators are still interviewing persons who can assist with the investigations,” the police force added.