Citizens of this country should show more gratitude to the protective services particularly the Prison Service.
The call came yesterday from head of the Prisons Commissioner Sterling Stewart at the funeral service for his slain colleague Supt David Millette, 50, who was murdered outside his Coconut Drive, Morvant, home on November 2.
In a passionate speech, punctuated with biblical references, Stewart said prison officers are charged with keeping and transforming the men and women that other people consider unfit to live among them.
He trained his guns on parents and politicians.
Seated among the mourners was Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Millette, who was last assigned to the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca, had over 20 years service. He was killed the same day he began his vacation after he was ambushed by four gunmen as he sat in his vehicle.
His death is believed to be linked to an incident, when a prisoner on a murder charge was assaulted at the Maximum Security Prison when he resisted officers during a search the day before.
“Why was he gunned down? Who are these killers and where did they come from to kill my officer without impunity? He was touching lives and saving lives and by the time the men reach to jail it is too late in many cases.
“We have to recycle and transform. You all should bow down to the Prisons Service for saving lives,” Stewart shouted, prompting applause from the officers who gathered at the Daybreak Assembly, Coconut Drive, Morvant, to pay their final respect for the fallen officer.
“We are doing the work of parents and they call us rogues. Who are breeding these killers? The fathers are absent without leave. Parents you are the real crime stoppers not 800-TIPS, and who is holding them (parents) responsible?” he asked.
Stewart spoke of two recent criminal cases where the accused were in prison as they sought to access their bail: Dexter Gobin, who is charged with assaulting a two-year-old girl and Ricardo Jerome who is charged with assaulting his girlfriend.
Both incidents sparked outrage after they went viral on social media and prompted hate against the accused.
Stewart said it was the job of his men to ensure the safety of the two and others like them accused of committing criminal acts that are “against the code” of fellow inmates.
Stewart said he was speaking without fear as he was fearless of the threats made against him by “little boys who just come out of diapers.”
He was later comforted by Rowley as he broke down in tears after his speech.
Suspects have been detained for questioning, including two cousins of the remand prisoner who was assaulted, but no one has been charged for Millette’s murder.