ACTING OUTSIDE THE LAW

Separate investigations should be conducted by both the Police and the Regiment into the charges by three civilians that they were beaten by soldiers, who had driven up in two jeeps, and the allegation by one of them that he was abducted, the barrel of a gun pushed into his mouth and he was later thrown off Lady Chancellor Road down a 20-foot incline. A check by the Regiment of its jeeps which had been checked out on the evening of the incident and the soldiers to whom they were assigned should assist in the identification of the men involved, particularly if some of the residents at Poinsettia Drive, Morvant, who saw what took place, had noted the numbers of the vehicles.  It would assist with any investigations into the incident.  

It is in the interest both of the Regiment and of the wider community that this matter be investigated thoroughly and promptly. In addition, the findings of any Regiment inquiry should be acted upon with reasonable speed, and if the evidence supports such action then the necessary disciplinary action taken against the persons concerned.  In turn, the Police, if the results of their investigations demand this, should lay charges in Court against the offending soldiers. Failure to do this will hurt the image of the Regiment which like the Police Service is there to protect and serve citizens and the country. Those assaulted had little or no choice of defending themselves.  One of the men who was attacked claimed that the soldiers were allegedly in search of a “rastaman,” who had reportedly testified earlier in the day in Court against a certain individual. 

He was warned not to “recognise” the individual who was allegedly in the jeep which took him to Lady Chancellor Road, and further warned that it was a message for the “rastaman.”  This amounted to a tacit interference with the country’s justice system and the right of citizens to testify in our Courts without duress. That Regiment personnel could be involved in such activity should full us with great concern. There have been reports within recent years of soldiers “invading” low income areas and assaulting residents.  Whatever action, if any, taken by the Regiment clearly did nothing to deter last weekend’s  cowardly attacks.  We await the outcome of investigations into and any action taken with respect to the recent incident.   

The man, who was allegedly thrown off the cliff, could have been killed or seriously injured as a result. We don’t wish to tell the authorities how to do their work, but medical reports from the Port-of-Spain General Hospital where the men stated they had sought attention following on the incidents should provide Police and Army investigators with information about their injuries. Residents of Poinsettia Drive No 1 and Poinsettia Drive No 2, Morvant, who witnessed what transpired should also be able to provide details. What took place at Morvant and at Lady Chancellor Road should not be allowed to be swept under the carpet.

No one in any of the country’s Protective Services should be allowed to see himself/herself as above the law.  Indeed, all Police, Regiment and other relevant personnel should be the first to uphold the law and protect citizens. Scores of soldiers have within recent years formed part of joint Police-Regiment anti-crime strategies in a determined effort by the authorities to make this country safer for all.  Members of the Police Service and the Regiment, save for a few bad eggs, are committed to this policy. Those who behaved in the way reported must be removed. They must not be allowed to act outside of the law with seeming impunity.