Police officer under investigation – ACP Bailey

A member of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is currently under investigation for allegedly lending his service weapon to a male civilian.

iWitness News reported on December 6 that at about 4:30 pm on Villa beach, a police officer, dressed in his uniform, removed the magazine from his service weapon and gave it to a man. The report said the man then used the weapon to threaten a woman and the incident was witnessed by two civilians.

On Thursday, speaking on AM Mayhem, Hot 97.1 FM’s morning program, Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Trevor “Buju” Bailey said the matter was reported and an investigation has been launched.

ACP Bailey told listeners that the hierarchy of the RSVGPF does not condone behaviour of this nature as it does not reflect the morals of the police force and is condemned in every form.

“A full investigation will be done. If it leads to charges, then charges would be laid. If it leads to dismissal, then so be it, but the police force is not going to sweep this under the carpet,” ACP Bailey told Hot 97.1 FM.

He said that no one should advance the notion, “that a report has been made and that’s it,” as the RSVGPF does not operate in this fashion.

The top ranking police officer said the investigation was started since Wednesday December 6 when the report was made and statements have already been recorded.

“…Further statements should be done today (Thursday November 7) and the matter will be dealt with speedily,” ACP Bailey noted while adding that the officer alleged to have committed the act has less than three years in the Force.

“… A young officer, a young police officer…,” the veteran policeman said while noting that sometimes the outcome of investigations of this nature are not communicated to the public, but that does not mean they are not done.

“This matter is a very serious matter. It is very troubling to the leadership…a thorough investigation will be done,” ACP Bailey said.

The allegations of misconduct by the junior officer come at a time when St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) has recorded 52 homicides, most with the use of firearms, and several shootings which have left persons nursing gunshot wounds.