(Trinidad Guardian) Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams is condemning soldiers going out on patrols and carrying out operations on their own. He also made it clear there was a role for the Police Service and another role for the Defence Force, adding that it was illegal for soldiers to wear masks and carry out searches.
Over the last two weeks there have been numerous complaints by members of the public, especially those who live in “hot spot” areas, of soldier abuse. Since the June 29 shooting death of Lance Cpl Kayode Thomas Laventille residents have claimed soldiers were patrolling, searching were “arresting” people without police officers present. At a press briefing held at the Police Administration Building on Wednesday, Williams said he was aware of these complaints, and also expressed concern.
“What has been happening over the last two weeks, I personally, as the head of the Police Service, I have concerns. I have similar concerns which you share. I have brought those concerns to the attention of the chief of Defence Staff (Major Gen Kenrick Maharaj) and he has given me the assurance that he has not authorised any soldier to carry out any operations,” Williams said. Williams said he had been out of the country for the last nine days and it was unfair for people to complain about his silence on the issue.
He said he also sought clarity from Maharaj whether there has been any change in the instructions given to the soldiers.
“He made it clear to me there has been no change by way of his directions, because soldiers generally operate in support of the Police Service. It is a longstanding arrangement that goes way back to time immemorial.”
Williams said the joint army-police patrols came into effect in 2003 and fell under the unit of the Interagency Task Force, with a focus on operating in high-risk communities. This year, he said, additional demands were made for the support of the Defence Force when there were 19 murders within seven days.
But he said “under no circumstances” was there a request for soldiers to carry out operations on their own that included searching homes.
“I was given the assurance by the Chief of Defence Staff that he has not authorised any detachment of soldiers to be carrying out operations on their own,” he repeated. “The operation of the Defence Force, in the context of the relationship with the Police Service, is in support of the Police Service.
And the Defence Force normally makes reference to it in the form of aid to civil power. “I gave no direction and I have not received any further information from the Chief of Defence Staff of him authorising operations,” Williams said.