Serious threats

We hold no brief for any of the parties involved in Thursday’s events. The circumstances of the death of Mitchell must be properly investigated by law enforcement authorities and by the independent Police Complaints Authority. All witnesses to the event should come forward. The relatives of the deceased should also consider all their legal options.

At the same time, the threats issued to the police officers on the scene cannot be condoned. They constitute offences in their own right and should result in charges being laid.

We do not deny that the Police Service has questions to answer.

The problem of rogue police officers, police corruption and the lack of accountability for the infamous day of “Total Policing” are serious clouds hanging over the men and women in blue.

That said, it cannot be assumed that all of the apples in the barrel are spoiled. Indeed, it is far more plausible that the majority of officers are simply hard working officers called to battle a crime spiral that has long gone out of control.

We hope the latest incident does not stoke tensions further in Enterprise or result in any form of escalation of violence and criminality there.

Meanwhile, the State must tell us why it is yet to implement long-promised reforms such as the use of body cameras. Also, what is the position of the Executive on the call by the PCA to have more powers, including the power to initiate criminal proceedings against police officers accused of misconduct? The Police Service also has questions to answer in terms of its own management, particularly in relation to how it engages with the public.

In terms of the latest police shooting, it matters not whether the victim was an angel or a devil – the matter must be probed.

Extra-judicial killings cannot be condoned in a society with respect for law and order.

If it is found that officers simply took things into their own hands in relation to a menace, we condemn this.

A senior officer speaking to Newsday said officers were praised by members of the Crown Trace community who were on their way to work Thursday morning. He said: “People in Crown Trace going to work this morning and, under their breath when they are passing, they praising the police for what they did. They watching on the ground, they are afraid to watch you in your face because if someone only see them talking to the police, they could end up as victims.” But praise from weary members of the community cannot be the basis on which law enforcement officers seek to justify the use of force, particularly lethal force.

Officers effectively impose mob rule when they abandon all of the lawful avenues open to them to deal with crime.

In this instance, we note a firearm was involved, itself raising further troubling questions such as how weapons continue to be bought and sold in an illegal black market on our streets. It is axiomatic that officers would have had to prepare themselves for a confrontation, yet the mode of engagement must be questioned.

Even when persons are armed, the police should disarm, not kill.

Just as the death of Mitchell should be probed as a serious matter, so too must the threats against our officers. Tempers should also be calmed at Enterprise.

Let good sense prevail.