Shot WPC sues police colleague

WPC Nicole Cummings, shot in the foot by a nine millimetre handgun, is suing against the alleged negligent action of Cpl Francois. She is also seeking compensation from the State.

The lawsuit was filed yesterday in the Sub-registry in San Fernando by attorney Anand Ramlogan. She also is contending that no disciplinary action has been taken against Francois to date.

According to her writ, Cummings, who is a motorcyclist, was in the police station’s Charge Room on July 15. She stated that when Francois was cleaning his gun, it accidentally went off and she was shot in the foot.

The particulars in the lawsuit for negligence are founded in Cumming’s claim that Francois was allowed to keep and carry a gun even though he was unfit to do so. The woman police officer stated in her writ, in which she named Francois as the first defendant, that he had previously shot himself in the foot while cleaning a gun.

Cummings stated that the State allowed Francois to carry a loaded gun without proper remedial training.

Named as the second defendant, Cummings is holding the State liable for refusing to take disciplinary action against Francois.

Cummings is contending that it was wrong for Francois to clean a gun in the station’s Charge Room. It is contrary to established police practice and procedure and Francois, she stated, failed to ensure that there was no live ammunition while cleaning the gun.

Cummings stated that Francois loaded the firearm and then pulled the trigger. Her lawsuit stated that the policeman’s conduct was oppressive and arbitrary.

In her lawsuit, Cummings referred to last week’s incident in which a policeman shot and killed PC Guerra.

Cummings is claiming damages and also a declaration that the State be held liable and pay full compensation.