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Cop under fire for shooting death of 11-month-old
Saturday, March 08, 2008
PRIME Minister Bruce Golding yesterday ordered an immediate review of the policy governing lethal engagement by members of the police force.
The prime minister's request came just a day after the fatal shooting of Brodrick Wright, an 11-month-old child, allegedly from a stray bullet fired by a policeman who was chasing a taximan along March Pen Road in Spanish Town.
Residents of the community, in protest against the shooting, later set fire to debris used to block the Spanish Town Bypass, causing hours of traffic delay.
Golding, according to a statement from Acting Prime Minister Audley Shaw, instructed Security Minister Derrick Smith to consult with the commissioner of police and the attorney general about the review and report to Cabinet within two weeks.
Golding, who is attending the Caribbean Community Heads of Government meeting in the Bahamas, said the excessive and oftentimes unwarranted use of firepower by the police was a practice that must be reined in and to which speedy investigations and effective sanctions must apply.
Golding also ordered the attorney general, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, to provide him with a report, by next Monday, on the status of the promised legislation to establish an independent body to investigate abuses by members of the security forces.
In the meantime, the prime minister sent apologies on behalf of the government to the family of the dead child and promised his administration would ensure that justice is done.
He told Labour Minister Pearnel Charles to meet with the family of the dead child, and to make arrangements for the government to take full responsibility for the funeral expenses.
In the meantime, Security Minister Smith, in condemning the action of the police, said his government would fast track the formation of an independent authority to investigate claims of abuse against the police.
Smith, whose statement came as residents of March Pen Road maintained their protest near the entrance to the St Catherine community, said the action of the policeman was outside the rules of engagement.
"It is tragic enough when innocent adults are killed in these circumstances, much less children of such a tender age," Smith said.
Residents on March Pen said Thursday that a special constable who was chasing a taxi into their community, "fired his weapon wildly". One of the bullets reportedly caught the child.
The accused policeman has since been withdrawn from front-line duty as the Bureau of Special Investigations probes the incident.
His service revolver was seized and was expected to be sent to the firearms laboratory for forensic analysis, while his hands were swabbed for gunpowder residue.
".We are now awaiting the results of the investigations from the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) before further action is taken," said operations officer at Spanish Town Police Station, Deputy Superintendent Anthony Castell.
Yesterday, Public Defender Earl Witter said his office was taking a keen interest in the alleged killing of the infant by agents of the state, and had sent representatives from his office into the March Pen community to make contact with the family of the slain child and collect statements.
Cop under fire for shooting death of 11-month-old
Saturday, March 08, 2008
PRIME Minister Bruce Golding yesterday ordered an immediate review of the policy governing lethal engagement by members of the police force.
The prime minister's request came just a day after the fatal shooting of Brodrick Wright, an 11-month-old child, allegedly from a stray bullet fired by a policeman who was chasing a taximan along March Pen Road in Spanish Town.
Residents of the community, in protest against the shooting, later set fire to debris used to block the Spanish Town Bypass, causing hours of traffic delay.
Golding, according to a statement from Acting Prime Minister Audley Shaw, instructed Security Minister Derrick Smith to consult with the commissioner of police and the attorney general about the review and report to Cabinet within two weeks.
Golding, who is attending the Caribbean Community Heads of Government meeting in the Bahamas, said the excessive and oftentimes unwarranted use of firepower by the police was a practice that must be reined in and to which speedy investigations and effective sanctions must apply.
Golding also ordered the attorney general, Senator Dorothy Lightbourne, to provide him with a report, by next Monday, on the status of the promised legislation to establish an independent body to investigate abuses by members of the security forces.
In the meantime, the prime minister sent apologies on behalf of the government to the family of the dead child and promised his administration would ensure that justice is done.
He told Labour Minister Pearnel Charles to meet with the family of the dead child, and to make arrangements for the government to take full responsibility for the funeral expenses.
In the meantime, Security Minister Smith, in condemning the action of the police, said his government would fast track the formation of an independent authority to investigate claims of abuse against the police.
Smith, whose statement came as residents of March Pen Road maintained their protest near the entrance to the St Catherine community, said the action of the policeman was outside the rules of engagement.
"It is tragic enough when innocent adults are killed in these circumstances, much less children of such a tender age," Smith said.
Residents on March Pen said Thursday that a special constable who was chasing a taxi into their community, "fired his weapon wildly". One of the bullets reportedly caught the child.
The accused policeman has since been withdrawn from front-line duty as the Bureau of Special Investigations probes the incident.
His service revolver was seized and was expected to be sent to the firearms laboratory for forensic analysis, while his hands were swabbed for gunpowder residue.
".We are now awaiting the results of the investigations from the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) before further action is taken," said operations officer at Spanish Town Police Station, Deputy Superintendent Anthony Castell.
Yesterday, Public Defender Earl Witter said his office was taking a keen interest in the alleged killing of the infant by agents of the state, and had sent representatives from his office into the March Pen community to make contact with the family of the slain child and collect statements.
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