No police death squad

POLICE COMMISSIONER Hilton Guy defended his officers yesterday, insisting that no death squad exists in the service. He said the police service is a highly disciplined organisation made up of hardworking, highly skilled and dedicated officers who adhere to the rule of law.

However, Guy said if reliable information is provided to him about any crooked officers engaged in illicit activities, swift action will be taken. Responding to claims made by UNC Senator Wade Mark earlier this week, the Commissioner said it was highly irresponsible for persons to be making such statements without presenting any evidence. Guy said he is very concerned about the spate of gang-related murders in the country, and assured that homicide officers were working round-the-clock to bring the perpetrators to justice. He said based on information received from investigators, the gang-related murders are being carried out by rival gang members. On Tuesday, during the debate on the Anti-Kidnapping Bill, Mark  raised questions about whether some of the killings were being carried out by a police death squad. He said: “I would like to ask the Minister of National Security whether there is an official death squad in the police service.”

Yesterday, Mark, in an immediate response said while he is happy to learn that Guy is maintaining that no police death squad exists, he feels the country is not yet convinced. He added that based on information received, he is concerned about the number of gang-related murders being committed with no arrests being made. “The way how people are being murdered, and no one is being arrested prompted me to address this question to the Minister of National Security Howard Chin Lee,  but he has not yet answered my questions,” Mark said yesterday. Checks with the Port-of-Spain CID yesterday revealed that three persons wanted for three gang-related murders were among 17 held in a joint police/army exercise in Laventille, Belmont and Gonzales.