What's Delaying Sea Lots Crash Probe?

Gillian Lucky, director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), wants to know why the police investigation into the car crash deaths of three Sea Lots residents last month was taking so long.

Lucky said she had written to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, asking the status of the investigation into the deaths of Sea Lots mother Haydee Paul, 28, and her daughters Akasha, eight, and Shakira, seven. They were hit by a vehicle being driven by a police constable on his way to work on February 24.

The officer has since been suspended, pending the outcome of the motor manslaughter investigation.

Lucky spoke to the media at a town meeting held by the PCA in Chase Village, Chaguanas, on Wednesday night.

Lucky said she learned a blood sample was taken from the suspect in the case.

"Therefore, I wrote to the Commissioner of Police, asking whether in fact a blood sample was taken and what is the result of the findings, based on the blood sample analysis. And we have asked for a status on the matter because I know that three people were killed and I know others were injured," said Lucky.

"Are they waiting on any particular evidence or any particular witness statements? Because we want to have some kind of timeline as to when a determination will be made with respect to that particular matter."

The PCA director said she had previous discussions with Williams over delays in investigations relating to police officers.

"The point made was that the police officers who are the subject of the investigations are also presumed innocent, and when they are suspended, they, too, would have that level of anxiety that they want the matter determined, one way or the other, as to whether they will be charged or not," said Lucky.

"What has to be done in Trinidad and Tobago, if the police are investigating these matters, they have to be investigated with a greater speed."

Regarding the PCA's investigations of an alleged New Flying Squad Investigations Unit (NFSIU) and other allegations of misconduct by police officers, Lucky said she was expecting "total compliance" from Williams.

"I have written to him saying that based on our function and our responsibilities, and there is a section in our act that says if the Commissioner of Police gets in his possession that speaks to police corruption, alleged police misconduct or criminal offences involving the police that the PCA is to be informed in writing immediately.

"I have just reminded him that section exists and, therefore, we expect total compliance on his part. It is premature to say what could come out of the investigation," said the PCA director.

With respect to the existence of the alleged NFSIU and its activities and operations, she said the PCA had begun enquiries and was gathering evidence.

"I have also written to the acting Commissioner of Police, asking for copies of the reports that, according to the Prime Minister, that a decision was taken by the National Security Council to send the report to the Acting Commissioner of Police for investigations," said Lucky.

Source:Trinidadexpress

25 Year Old Officer Cannot Recall events of Accident

The off duty 25-year-old policeman who is responsible for the death of the tragic death of the Sea Lots' mother and her two young daughters states he cannot recall the crash. On Sunday the police officer driving a brown Toyota Vehicle slammed into a crowd of people killing three (3)  and seriously injuring three (3) others (Victims Abbigail Assing, Amanda Lalla and Ryan Rampersad,) who had to be taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital. 

The officer was release on Monday from the hospital, where medical officers stated that he was lucky to be alive only suffering minor bruises and cuts about the body. however, the the victims remains hospitalized with Lalla being kept in the Intensive Care Unit with broken arms, legs and a fractured skull, Rampersad which is still in critical condition and Assing who is considered stable.

Its been three (3) days after the horrer and no word has been forth coming as to whether the officer was under the influence of alcohol when the accident happened. The CoP has stated that investigations would be fair and that a breath test was administered. 

The fatal accident triggered protests from enraged Sea Lots residents who, on Sunday, claimed police removed a half-empty bottle of whisky from the officer's vehicle, a claim police on the scene immediately denied.

On the day of the accident, police said they were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets to quell the chaos, as residents had blocked the Beetham Highway.

The fury of the residents continued early Monday morning, as they again blocked the roads, causing massive traffic gridlock for several hours.

On the heels of the fiery protest, National Security Minister Jack Warner, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams and Deputy Commissioner Mervyn Richardson visited Sea Lots and assured there would be no cover-up in the investigation of the officer, and that a walkover would be built at the location.