DPP writes CoP

Director of Public Prosecu-tions Geoffrey Henderson has written to Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs, telling him that he finds it shocking that the investigation into the release of two Bajan fishermen remains undetermined. The letter from the DPP was sent on Monday. The contents of the letter noted, “a month has now elapsed and I find it quite shocking that this matter remains undetermined. “The persons who ought to be interviewed and re-interviewed are either police officers or public officials. “It could not take a month to conduct such interviews. This is a matter of great concern.

It involves what appears to be a tresspass on the independent constitutional powers vested in the Director of Public Prosecutions, therefore, it ought to be properly investigated. I urge you to have this matter properly investigated and such investigation to be done expeditiously.” The DPP said yesterday that it is now incumbent upon him to correct any impression that he may be part of some plot to prevent the population from discovering the true circumstances surrounding the release of two Bajan fishermen who were arrested for illegally fishing in territorial waters. He added that statements attributed to Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on Tuesday may have conveyed this unfortunate impression.

On February 9, Bajan fishermen Joseph Mason and Samuel Firebrace were charged with the offence of fishing illegally in territorial waters. Both accused pleaded not guilty when they appeared at the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court, and the police prosecutor informed the magistrate that the prosecution was offering no evidence. The DPP revealed that no instructions were given by him to have the matter discontinued. There is no person other than the DPP authorised under the Constitution to discontinue criminal proceedings. On March 12, the DPP wrote the Commissioner requesting that an investigation be conducted to determine “who authorised the discontinuance of this case.”

On March 12, the Commissio-ner of Police replied to the DPP with a concise summary of the circumstances in which it was said that the matter was discontinued. The DPP sent another letter to the Commissioner on March 29 requesting that he provide him with the statements and/or reports obtained and that further interviews be conducted. On April 1 the Commissioner sent a letter to the DPP acknowledging receipt of the letter and noted its contents. The DPP reminded that he and his officers are committed to maintaining the highest standards of impartiality, independence and integrity.