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MSJ wants status report on police killings from PCA

Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) leader David Abdulah is calling on the Government to amend the legislation to give the Police Complaint Authority (PCA) more investigative powers. Abdulah, however, also called on the PCA to give a status report on its investigations into previous police killings.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference at the MSJ’s St Joseph Road, San Fernando headquarters, Abdulah said the circumstances surrounding Adelle Gilbert’s killing was disturbing and has evoked comments from PCA director David West and parliamentarians. 

Reminding that the MSJ has previously raised the issue of police killings, Abdulah said: “We are well aware that the crime situation is bad and police officers face difficult situations and their jobs are at times hazardous so this is not a blanket attack on the Police Service.”

However, he said when such issues occur the trust between the Police Service and community breaks down, resulting in the possibility of the public assisting police solve serious crimes diminishes. 

“And when members of a community and the families of those killed by police feel that an injustice has been done what is required is a very speedy investigation by independent body which has to be the PCA and bringing that investigation to a close with definitive conclusions so that the family of those being killed, the community and country can be satisfied about what has happened. 

“We have to step up our game, we are not aware that the PCA has completed investigations into the many incidents of police officers killing civilians and we call on PCA to give a status report on all these matters and give assurances to national community as to when these investigations will be completed.

Commenting on a call by PCA director David West for the legislation to be amended to give the body more investigative powers Abdulah said, “We also support the call by the PCA for more power and we are calling on the Government to urgently bring to Parliament legislation to amend the PCA act to ensure that the PCA has the power to engage in investigations to secure a crime scene or scene where someone has been killed by police to ensure evidence is not in any way contaminated by police officers who are investigating other police officers, because that raises doubts in the mind of citizens as to whether justice will happen.”

When contacted via WhatsApp messenger, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi said: “We have been working with the PCA for several months on amendments to its legislation and shall be approaching Parliament shortly. 

Al-Rawi said he was out of the country and will comment further on his return. Acting superintendent Yuseff Gafar has been appointed to investigate Gilbert’s killing.


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