Ex-cop dies days after police beating

Relatives of retired police officer Anderson Kenneth Alexander, 59, who died 11 days after he was allegedly beaten by the police, are confused that an autopsy could not determine his cause of death. Alexander, of Santa Cruz, was allegedly beaten by police officers on June 10. He died on June 21 at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences (EWMSC) Complex in Mt Hope. However, the cause of death is yet to be determined, as an autopsy done at the Forensic Science Centre in St James last week was inconclusive.

A close relative told the T&T Guardian Alexander’s family is still in shock. The relative said Alexander had just left his home and stopped to talk to neighbours when the incident occurred. “A police vehicle pulled up behind him and the officers began shouting at him and gesticulating. As a retiree from the service, he thought the officers had known him and was hailing out to him, only later realising that this wasn't the case. 

“One of the officers alighted the vehicle and approached his vehicle, pulling out the key to his engine. Another officer approached and there was an exchange of words. A short baton was handed to the first officer, who dealt Anderson several severe blows to the head, neck, right forearm and right knee,” the relative said. Alexander was taken to the Santa Cruz Police Station but was later released.

Two days later, he began complaining of extreme weakness and pains. He was taken to a private doctor but his condition worsened. On June 16, Alexander was admitted to the EWMSC where he remained warded until he died.