Despite a scathing report by the Police Complaints Authority into the death of PC Clarence Gilkes, no charges have been laid against the officers involved, and the four officers remain on suspension.
“We have four officers and they are still on suspension and they remain on suspension as the investigation continues,” acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob said yesterday.
He was speaking to the media during a meeting with Arima Mayor Cagney Casimire and the Arima Borough Council.
Jacob could not say what charges would be brought against the officers or when.
“I am not the investigator or the DPP, they are working together and at the end of it, right, they will decide what sort of charges to be brought, if any, against the officers who are involved in that situation,” Jacob said.
Jacob said he knows the nation is waiting to hear the outcome of this investigation. He added that it does place an extra onus on the TTPS to ensure the matter is completed as soon as possible.
But Jacob said it was much easier to complete a Police Complaints Authority (PCA) investigation as opposed to a criminal investigation, where statements have to be authenticated and ID (identification) parades have to be conducted.
He also noted that at times, officers may go to the DPP, who would send them back to gather more information.
Guardian Media has also been informed that an assistant commissioner of police in charge of the division at the time of the incident has been transferred and a senior superintendent was sent on vacation days after the incident. When he returned, he was no longer assigned to the Western Division.
PC Gilkes was shot dead during an exercise at Rich Plain, Diego Martin, on April 22. On June 30, the PCA said its investigation found a clear abuse of power and that the officers lied to the acting Police Commissioner about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, as the investigations continue into Saturday’s fatal police-involved shooting on Independence Square, Port-of-Spain, Jacob confirmed that the eight officers involved have been placed on desk duty.
“There are about eight officers involved, but from different departments and they now will be assisting like in relation to the communication area; booking in persons when they come off leave. What we call charge room duties,” Jacob said.
“They will be involved in that until such time as the investigation proceeds.”
Three young men were killed in that incident, which sparked protests by residents of Beetham Gardens, Sea Lots and east Port-of-Spain on Monday around the capital.