Chin Lee calls for report in 2 cop killings

NATIONAL Security Minister Howard Chin Lee has asked for a report on the killing of two persons by the police in recent weeks.

In one incident, Glenroy Elder, 42, was shot dead by a police officer at L’Anse Noire, Toco, on May 14. This sparked off protests by villagers which caused the Police Commissioner to send in an independent investigator. The second incident occurred last Sunday at Valencia, when an outpatient from the St Ann’s Hospital, Gideon Edwards, 45, was shot dead when he reportedly attacked the police.

Yesterday, Chin Lee told reporters that he has asked the Commissioner of Police to prepare a report on both killings. “Today, the police are faced with a situation where crime is on the rise and they are under a lot of intense pressure to be more pro active in their approach. However, that does not mean they ought to practise any lawless activities. If there are any injustices, the Commissioner of Police will deal with that,” the Minister said.

Chin Lee said the joint police/army operations are continuing in Laventille. “Oper-ations are on going and very soon there will be a centre being developed where both the police and the army will be based at headquarters. Our main objective at this time is to ensure there is sustainability and that we are in for the long term.” Police and soldiers have been deployed to crime hit areas in east Port-of-Spain, where gangland activities accounted for more than 25 deaths this year.