Gibbs extends condolences to Moruga victims, says police are hardworking, dedicated

Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs on Tuesday extended condolences to the families of murder victims Allana Duncan, 27, Kerron Eccles and Abigail Johnson who were shot dead on July 22.

Seven police officers are facing murder charges in the killings.

Gibbs assured citizens that despite this "unfortunate incident" police officers are hardworking and dedicated persons who put their lives at risk to protect and serve the population.

He also spoke about the murders, which he described as a tragic incident.

 “Arising out of this unfortunate incident the police mounted an investigation and at the conclusion the DPP gave instructions they go before the court to answer the charges,” Gibbs said. 

 

“I want to assure the public that the service is doing all in its power to ensure and maintain the public’s trust and committed to policing ourselves. This incident affects all of us,” Gibbs noted.

He also explained that the accused officers have been treated fairly. “They were not mistreated. We took into consideration that they were officers and were treated well,” he said. 

The the police chief gave the assurance that the service is investigating other reports of officers involved in alleged wrongdoing.

“We want to assure that the reports are being investigated thoroughly,” he said. 

Gibbs also noted that the state of emergency has been a deterrent to serious crime. “It has been a success which speaks for itself and there has been a decrease in the crime level since 1990. 

"It is an opportunity to locate people who were wanted on different charges and to gather intelligence and bring people in,” he said.

He said when the emergency ends police will continue their vigilance. "We have the opportunity to build strategies so we don’t see a resurgence in crime. 

“We can contain some of the crime. That is our main concern. We have developed a crime plan at this stage and we are confident we can move forward,” he said