Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher says police officers need to be more experienced in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s (TTPS) Standard Operating Procedures.
Commissioner Harewood-Christopher made the comment in a media release after six police officers were acquitted of murder charges in the High Court yesterday.
This was in relation to the July 22, 2011, killings of Abigail Johnson, 20, of St Mary’s Village, Moruga; Alana Duncan, 27, of Duncan Village, San Fernando; and construction worker Kerron “Fingers” Eccles, 29, also of St Mary’s Village.
In the statement, the CoP said the actions of the officers came under scrutiny and they were subjected to the due process of the law.
However, she said the circumstances of the case present the typical occupational hazard for officers.
“As an administration, we work to mitigate against such occurrences by developing and implementing a Use of Force Policy to guide police officers in their operations. The full deployment of body-worn cameras will also be effective in regulating the conduct of officers and in providing evidence that assists in determining the adequacy and appropriateness of police actions,” she said.
“Incidents like these are regrettable, and I wish to emphasise the need for officers to become more proficient in our Standard Operating Procedures.”
Harewood-Christopher said notwithstanding the outcome of this case for the officers, lives have been lost.
“In that regard, I wish to again extend our condolences and regrets to the families of the victims in this incident.”
