Disturbed by a viral video showing Adelle Gilbert being dragged by police after being shot, Police Complaints Authority director David West says witnesses are already coming forward to give evidence.
Saying a thorough and independent investigation had been started into Gilbert’s death, West said he was now more concerned the crime scene could have been compromised as the video showed an officer picking up items from the scene and putting it into his pocket with his bare hands.
“It bothers me when I see the treatment given to this person and how he was handled in the video. The PCA will do investigations and we will try to get recommendations as soon as possible,” West told the T&T Guardian.
Expressing frustration that the PCA cannot carry out its mandate properly because of lack of legislation, West said both Basdeo Panday and Patrick Manning, when they were prime ministers, had agreed to amend the legislation to give the PCA the requisite powers but nothing was done.
“One of the ammendments was to give us the powers to solely and independently take charge and preserve the crime scene. Once this man was shot, a senior officer should have taken charge of the crime scene, cordoned off the area and left it intact as they wait for the crime scene experts to come,” West said.
He said the PCA has, however, already recorded statements from witnesses.
Meanwhile, acting Police Commissioner Harold Phillip also promised an open and transparent investigation yesterday. He described Gilbert’s death as unfortunate and expressed condolences to the family over their loss.
He said the shooting involved members of the Southern Division Task Force, who were on exercise duty at Lawrence Street, San Fernando.
Acting Supt Yusuff Gaffar has been appointed as the lead investigator with support from the Homicide Region Three, South, while the Professional Standards Bureau has the responsibility for monitoring and oversight of the investigation.
Gilbert, 34, of Embaccadere, San Fernando, was shot in the chest after being chased by police at Carlton Lane, San Fernando, around 12.48 pm on Thursday. Police said he was carrying a gun and shot at them but residents alleged he was shot in cold blood. Gilbert died while undergoing emergency treatment at the San Fernando General Hospital.
Gilbert’s criminal record
Senior Supt of the Southern Division, Adeline Pesnel, also assured yesterday that a thorough investigation would be done into Gilbert’s killing.
Pesnel said she convened a meeting with the first responder officers yesterday to find out what happened with Gilbert.
She said she got a file on Gilbert’s criminal records which showed he had three convictions, two for possession of marijuana and one for resisting arrest. Gilbert also had five matters pending at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court for kidnapping, malicious wounding, shop breaking and larceny, pavilion breaking and larceny and robbery with aggravation.
There were two outstanding warrants for Gilbert for resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.
Saying the video footage did not give a complete picture of what transpired, Pesnel said very often when police shootings occurred, residents and relatives contaminated the crime scene.
“It is the duty of the first responders to secure the scene. It is possible that the officer was actually protecting the crime scene,” Pesnel said, adding the items being picked up did not appear to be bullets or spent shells.
“People are crying cover-up but I want to assure that a thorough investigation will be conducted,” she added.
Pesnel said death threats made to officers were also being handled internally.
Gilbert’s relatives said yesterday they were waiting for justice. His brother Joel said yesterday that the shooting showed a clear violation of process. Cousin Kyle Thompson said Gilbert’s two children — Eli and Elijah—had been moved to a safe location.
“We are hoping that justice will prevail. This is hard for us to deal with,” Thompson said.
Meanwhile, attorney and former independent senator Sophia Chote expressed horror at the video showing Gilbert’s shooting. She said it was regrettable that after spending $18 billion on national security over the past few years, police officers could not still effect a simple arrest.
Widow on $15,000 bail
Alisha Richards, the widow of Adelle Gilbert, appeared at the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with assaulting a police officer.
Richards, 29, of Broadway, San Fernando, was featured in a viral video posted after her husband's death.
Nursing a bandage over her left eye and limping, Richards appeared before San Fernando Magistrate Brambhanan Dubay and was not called upon to plead as the charge was laid indictably.
The court heard that around 12.48 pm on Thursday, Richards assaulted PC Donald Snaggs at Lawrence Street, San Fernando, as he executed his duties.
Her attorney, Frank Gittens, said she had no previous convictions and worked with the San Fernando City Corporation. He said her injuries were as a result of what transpired when her husband was killed.
Gittens said there was no one to look after Richards’ two children, aged four and six. Richards was placed on $15,000 surety bail and was reunited with the children late yesterday after her mother, Ann Gillard, took her bail. She will reappear in court on November 18.
Help needed
Anyone with information on the police killing can contact the PCA at: 800-2PCA /800-2722/ 627-4383 / 627-4386 or email information at info@pca.org.tt and www.facebook.com/ PoliceComplaintsAuthority