Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams has admitted that the police service is struggling to deal with rampant murders in T&T. This, despite him being quoted in a Sunday Guardian interview that serious crimes had declined by 25 per cent, as opposed to the same period last year.
Williams spoke to reporters yesterday following the funeral of slain police Cpl Terrence Abraham at St Michael’s RC Church in Marabella. He said police had been making progress despite the country being challenged with violent crimes. According to the Police Service’s crime statistics database, there were 166 murders at the end of May 2012, in comparison to 143 murders up to yesterday.
Williams said, “We are progressing and we have been receiving the support of law-abiding citizens as we tackle crime and criminality across this nation. That is the reason why there is a clear direction in the reduction of serious crimes in 2013, but we need to do something more. “We need even more support from the public as we are still struggling around violent crimes, especially shooting incidents where people are dying.”
Despite a paltry crime detection rate of under ten per cent, Williams said the police service’s main objective was preventative measures. He said that by ridding the streets of illegal firearms, it should redound in a reduction of murders as most violent deaths were caused by shooting. “The issue of detection is one we are working on, but the major thrust for us is prevention; reducing the crime level in the country. If you have no crime, the issue of detection becomes irrelevant.”
He said, “Most of the murders are centred around shooting incidents so it is really about an issue of firearms in the country. By way of a clear strategic approach, our target is to get as much guns off the streets, but also to find the mechanism to limit guns coming in the country.” Williams also gave assurances that old murder cases were not being thrown on the back burner.
“We are not closing any murder investigations, that is why you will see that in a murder from 2012, people are being arrested and charged in 2013 because we are continuing all murders. Some might be what we call ‘cold cases,’ but we are continuing all investigations.” Williams also said he was committed to the move to allow off-duty officers to go home with their guns.
“As the leader of the organisation, I am committed to facilitating the officers in arming them. I have made it clear to all the officers that it is my thrust and my intention, but it has to be done in a responsible manner because the very said public is questioning the issue of corruption and criminality within the police organisation.” Delivering a tearful eulogy yesterday, Abraham’s sister Allison Abraham-Duncan described her brother’s killer as a monster, but kept faith that justice would be served.
“For the few monsters that caused us this grief, there have been hundreds of persons demonstrating a magnitude of love and support to us. The encouragement and care that we have received from the whole country has renewed our hope and belief in humanity and in Trinidad and Tobago.” Officiating at the service, Monsignor Michael De Verteuil told mourners that violence was never a part of God’s plan.
“For those who believe in God’s love, death is not the end, nor does it destroy the bonds forged in our lives. God has given him eternal life: that is the life of perfect happiness.” CoP Stephen Williams told reporters outside the church that investigators were going the extra mile to catch the gunman who shot Abraham on Tuesday night at Milton Road, Couva. Williams said, “The investigation is ongoing and the officers are pursuing it feverishly.
“When one of yours is taken away in such violent situations, it gives an extra impetus for the officers to pursue their investigation, even beyond the normal call of duty.” Snr Supt Peter Reyes said Abraham’s diligence and hard work had created many opportunities for him to join the Homicide Bureau and Criminal Investigative Department, but he loved being a traffic officer.
Among those who attended the funeral was Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson, ACP Donald Denoon, Snr Supt Cecil Santana and former national security minister Jack Warner. Moonilal: Crime our biggest challenge