Corrupt cops killed Carenage teen

A SENIOR police officer, who wished to remain anonymous has described  certain officers of the Western Division, of being  “rogue, corrupt elements,” and acused them of murdering Sherman Monsegue 18 on his birthday last week. “These cops, who move around in a group,” he said, have a history of terrorising the people of Carenage, Maraval, St James, Scorpion Alley and other districts, beating, robbing, threatening and shooting anyone who runs. The cops run drugs blocks and they shoot anyone who they believe stands in their way. “Young Monsegue was doing nothing more than gambling, and he ran when he saw the cops, who caught him and shot him. The planting of guns on their victims is nothing new to these officers, so for them to come out and claim they were shot at by Sherman is the norm.

“What is strange is that while the investigation has started, no guns have been produced. In addition, in the report it is written that a .57 pistol and .38 revolver were seized and both live shells (in the gun) and spent shell (on the ground) were recovered, when it is well-known revolvers do not have spent shells.” According to police reports, a party of officers of the Western Division went to Schuller Street in Carenage at Wednesday. They confronted Monsegue, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, and another friend gambling, at the seaside. Reports state that the two ran when they saw the police  and, when confronted, Monsegue pulled out a gun and fired two shots at the officers. The cops returned fire and shot Monsegue dead. His friend, who was beaten, was also held but later released.

Eyewitnesses and relatives are convinced the police report is not true, and are accusing the officers of murdering young Monsegue. “These cops who have been featuring in the news recently are corrupt to the bone. People of the area are literally afraid of them, and do not know what to do,” continued the senior officer. “It is well known that these officers have their own cache of guns seized at different exercises, and often use them to shoot someone or plant on someone because those guns cannot be traced back to them as a service-revolver can. “Both the Carenage Police Station and Police Complaints Unit are swamped with complaints about these officers, and instead of something being done by the seniors, they are protected by another senior officer who is known as ‘the mechanic,’ as he fixes and covers all the crimes by officers. “This ‘mechanic,’ who runs things in the West, was responsible for witholding from the investigation for a month  the diary used in the investigations of the killing of Kevin Cato. Cato was allegedly shot dead by a policeman at a Carnival party at Pier One earlier this year.

“And the same thing will happen with the investigation into Monsegue’s murder. “Officers who do not fall into their line or clique are either forced to accept what they do, or seek a transfer. This  group of officers is bad for the Police Service.” Several residents at Carenage, Abbe Poujabe Street, Scorpion Alley, Maraval and other areas in the West, supported the senior officer’s view and spoke about times they were beaten and robbed of money, jewelry and drugs by the gang of marauding policemen. Meanwhile, Monsegue’s relatives are also accusing the police  of murdering the teen and are calling for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Acting Commissioner of Police Glen Roach confirmed he had received a preliminary report of the shooting, and in the interest of impartiality has appointed an independent investigator to look into the shooting. He refused to say who shot Monsegue, but pending the outcome of the investigations, he said the proper steps will be taken.