Do the right thing when executing search warrants – ACP Bailey

Police officers serving search warrants at the homes of suspects are being asked to obey the law and act with respect when dealing with civilians.

Over the years, numerous complaints have come from persons who claim that officers who go to their homes with search warrants refuse to show them the warrant, while at times the warrant is shown, but persons are not allowed to read it.

There have also been instances where wrong names have been placed on warrants and police officers have still forced their way into peoples’ homes.

Speaking on the On the Beat programme on NBC Radio on Tuesday, January 7, 2024, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) with responsibility for fighting crime in SVG Trevor “Buju” Bailey, said the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is currently working on a citizen’s charter which will outline the rights of persons who may come in contact with members of the constabulary for whatever reason.

He said among the issues being addressed is the serving of search warrants as there have been many complaints from citizens in relation to this aspect of policing.

“The charter is simply to say there are things that the police must do, there are things that the police should not be doing…

“The Charter will also spell out that the police have a right when they arrive at your home … and they want to execute a search warrant, the warrant must be read and shown to the occupants of the house,” he outlined.

“Two often we get a complaint that police just wave a piece of paper, or they just knock and say they have a search warrant, and the warrant was not read and shown to us.

“Those are things that as police officers we know what we have to do…,” ACP Bailey stressed.

He said that if police officers go to a home and wave a piece of paper, people are going to ask questions, and there is nothing wrong with a citizen knowing their rights and questioning things that seem wrong.

ACP Bailey said if police officers operate professionally in these situations, the hostility between police and civilians will be minimized as persons will accept the legality of the search.

“…if you have an authentic document, show the person, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. You are obligated to do that,” the veteran police officer noted, while adding that once you do the right thing people have no choice but to comply.

Bailey is also urging officers to have respect for peoples’ property.

“Rain might be coming, and if we have mud on our shoe, why would we want to go and stand on somebody table or stand on the couch with the dirt on your shoe, that would cause conflict and we have to have respect, not because we are executing our duty…”.

He said that an officer should not take off their shoes when entering a home, but respect can be shown by cleaning dirt from a shoe, and nothing is wrong with that.

Bailey also spoke about officers detaining individuals.

“The police do not have the right to meet you in the road and say ‘come with me, follow me to the barracks’.”