The police constable involved in the accidental death of Rancho Quemado grandmother Sona Lalloo is being investigated by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA).
This was confirmed by its director David West, via telephone yesterday, who said the investigation would be separate from the one started by South Western Division’s ASP Jackman.
West said if the officer was found guilty of a criminal offence, the PCA would write to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions recommending charges be laid against that officer. If the offence was not criminal in nature, they could suggest disciplinary measures be taken against the offending officer.
“We have initiated the investigation and we will be looking into it. We are doing our own investigation and what we will do is we will ask the police for their interim copy of file to see what they have done so far. Once we get all the evidence, then we will determine if we need to interview the officer or not.
“Whatever recommendations we make, we either write to the DPP if it is a criminal offence or if it is a disciplinary offence, we will contact the Commissioner of Police,” West said.
The T&T Guardian was also told the officer could also be cleared of any wrongdoing.
Lalloo, 80, died at 11.45 pm on Tuesday while undergoing surgery at the San Fernando General Hospital after suffering a gunshot wound to the side of her head.
While taking bread to her son, Jamere, on Monday, she was shot by a bullet which was discharged from the service pistol of a South Western Division Task Force officer.
According to a release by the T&T Police Service’s Public Affairs Unit yesterday, officers were responding to a report from a resident that two men were seen at around 7.45 pm at Johnson Trace, Rancho Quemado, brandishing guns.
When the officers arrived on the scene, their vehicle was flagged down by the resident who pointed to the suspects.
The release stated: “A chase ensued and two shots were fired at the officers while there was an accidental discharge from one of the officer’s service revolver after he fell to the ground while trying to negotiate his way over a wire fence. The investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of Ms Lalloo is continuing.”
This information conflicts with the account given by Lalloo’s son, Jamere, who said he was lying in a hammock when he saw the officer firing shots. He also claimed there was no gunmen running from the officer. He said the fence the officer claimed he fell over was down for some time.
Claiming negligence as the cause of his mother’s death, he said his family should be compensated for her death. While Lalloo’s funeral is set for 11 am today at their home, he said no one has come to offer counselling to his family.
“Two police officers came today and watched where the bullets passed and asked questions. They did not offer any counselling. They are not treating us well at all and we told them that when they came this morning. We want justice,” Jamere said.
CoP sends condolences, offers to pay for funeral
Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams has expressed sadness and sympathy over Lalloo’s death.
He also extended his deepest condolences to Lalloo’s relatives and has undertaken to assist with the funeral expenses through the Police Service’s Award Fund, the release said.
It also stated Lalloo was shot during a police pursuit of armed bandits in the area and that a post mortem conducted on Wednesday confirmed that the death was due to a single gunshot wound to the head.