Gibbs: Cops can’t ignore their duties

Anti Corruption Investigation Bureau (ACIB) officers were in possession of a legitimate search warrant which provided them with the authority to carry out a search for evidence at Newsday, Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs has said. His response came following last Thursday’s raid at Newsday by the ACIB officers. In a February 11 letter to the editor, Gibbs said the officers of the ACIB were conducting an investigation pursuant to a report made to the Bureau by the Integrity Commission.

Gibbs said the officers of the ACIB are “peace officers.” He said: “They have a responsibility to uphold the law and conduct their investigations in accordance with that law. “Peace officers are not sanctioned to go above or beyond the legal authorities vested in our Constitution or in statute; just as they are not justified to ignore their fiduciary duties or accountabilities.”

Gibbs added: “It should be noted that when illegal or tragic occurrences or incidents happen, peace officers are called to investigate and to use all of their training, competencies and equipment to ensure there is homeostasis brought back into an environment disrupted by violence or disorder.” Gibbs said the officers use their legal knowledge and capitalise on new methods, policing techniques and technology.

“That is why new equipment and strategies are constantly being tried and tested. That is why we conduct investigations. Not to inhibit, restrict and abuse the freedoms that are fundamentally embedded in our society, but rather to ensure the freedoms that we so often take for granted are maintained and held to the highest standards …legally, ethically, and morally.” Gibbs said there is no one in society that would want their individual or collective freedoms—such as freedoms of  life, liberty, association, religion, speech or  expression—to be taken away.

He added: “However, we do know there are those individuals and groups who constantly attempt through illegal, unethical and nefarious means to destroy the very underpinnings and basic tenets of our society. “In simple terms these are the bullies, the manipulators and intimidators. They purposefully initiate violence and malficence and contrive to attain only for their own self-interest and benefit, usually at the expense of others and society. They don’t respect our nation’s freedoms nor do their actions demonstrate respect and concern for others.”

As there may be individuals  who would take advantage of the weak and vulnerable, Gibbs said, laws and rules are created that provide peace officers the authority to engage with communities and persons to protect fundamental freedoms. Gibbs said peace officers are trained to uphold  the law, “protect the weak and vulnerable and to assist the public in creating a safe secure environment.”