Police Commissioner

Several sections of the police force are unhappy with a circular sent to them by the High Command of the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).

Informed sources told GRENADA TODAY that the circular is threatening the salaries of police officers who are accused of engaging in brutal acts against members of the civilian population. A police source who spoke to this newspaper on condition that he was not identified said that some officers have been seeking legal advise from attorneys on the island about the legality of the circular.
According to the source, the feeling among some members of the rank and file is that the circular is trying to make "scape goats" of some police officers for political reasons.

He spoke of some officers being totally against the circular on the grounds that it was seeking to find them "guilty" of an alleged offence without allowing them due process before the law courts. Speculation is rife that the circular was drafted by the Ministry of National Security headed by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell and Senator Einstein Louison.

There have been increasing reports that some police officers are engaged in acts of beating of civilians when detained for questioning. Cameras have been placed at strategic locations inside the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) head office in the city to act as a deterrent against police officers who might be engaged in acts of beating against suspects.

Speculation is rife that a retired Inspector of Police might be rejoining the police force on special assignment with CID. The source described the move as politically-motivated due to the alleged fall-out between members of the department and a certain non-national legal luminary with close ties to the Keith Mitchell-led government.

He spoke of growing opposition and resentment within the CID to the non national lawyer who in the past used to call members of the department and issue instructions on persons to be picked up for questioning and to be charged.

"Nobody in CID ain't want to hear that man name call these days. If he has five friends in the police force these days that is a lot. Nobody ain't want to see him (name withheld). He can't call nobody and give them instructions. Nobody taking instructions from him these days", he remarked.

The source said that CID officers have been increasingly telling the legal luminary that instructions will only be acted upon if it comes directly from the Commissioner of Police.