Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has responded to citizens’ criticisms of how police handled the arrest of Dwaine Sandy in connection with the robbery in Kingstown this month.
He has also said he would not meet with the former national footballer in relation to his arrest in connection to the June 13 crime.
Sandy told I-Witness News on Saturday that he would like a meeting with Gonsalves about the development.
Sandy was arrested twice, kept for 48 hours each time and released without charge in connection with the robbery of EC$100,000 (EC$1=US$0.37) from a postal worker and the shooting of a policeman who went to help her.
Sandy has maintained that he was in Grenada when the crime was committed and that he is innocent.
Some citizens, including Sandy’s lawyer, Grant Connell, have expressed concern about the police having deemed Sandy “wanted” and saying he should be considered “armed and dangerous” but did not charge him with any offence when he turned himself in.
Some have said that the action of the police placed Sandy’s life at risk.
But Gonsalves, who is Minister of National Security, told a press conference on Monday that there are many things about which citizens can criticise the police.
He, however, said that citizens are often acting based on partial information.
“With great respect, on what basis can citizens — any citizen — criticise the police in picking up releasing, picking up someone? Does that citizen know what the police know?” Gonsalves said.
He further said that he does not comment on on-going police investigations.
“The police are professionals,” he said, adding that it is not his business to know the detailed ins and outs of any particular criminal investigation.
Gonsalves referred to the story in which Sandy said he would like to meet with him.
“I have absolutely nothing to talk to anybody about any police investigation that is going on. I can’t interfere with that, however much I like to speak to all my citizens about all their problems. But there are certain things I just have to say no, please, don’t involve me in that. I have no role in that,” Gonsalves said.
“So, persons frequently make assumptions about things — which assumptions may or may not be correct. And my experience has always been let the professionals get on with their job, we may at the end of the day criticise or commend them, as the case may be…”
Gonsalves referred to the Boston Marathon bombing in the United States in April, when Bostonians complained after police cordoned off an area for an extended period of time while they investigated.
“It turned out that the police had access to information which the persons who were making the commentaries didn’t have access to,” Gonsalves said.
“[It] doesn’t mean that is the case in every situation that the police do not from time to time make errors in their investigation. But I think it is premature to jump on them and be criticising. I think we should give it a chance and see how it plays out,” Gonsalves said.
“Dont involve me in that”, yet when a ULP women had her Vinlec connection cut he bounce all over the state, he involve himself in things even that are no concern of his.
“Don’t involve me in that”
The police are professionals, yes professional criminals, convicted criminals.
The police are professionals,
I have absolutely nothing to talk to anybody about any police investigation that is going on. I cant interfere with that, however much I like to speak to all my citizens about all their problems. But there are certain things I just have to say no, please, dont involve me in that. I have no role in that,
Yet when he was accused of rape he gave out the ladies name and identified her, putting her at risk, she was the put on night patrol and worse than that unacompanied night patrol on foot.
I have absolutely nothing to talk to anybody about any police investigation that is going on. I cant interfere with that, however much I like to speak to all my citizens about all their problems. But there are certain things I just have to say no, please, dont involve me in that. I have no role in that,
Sir I consider you a toad.
Give the police a chance to conduct their investigations. What does the PM have to do with that? Peter, leave the man alone. When he speaks you people say he speaks too much. When he doesnt, you expect him to say something. Stop grinding your political axes.
I agree with the PM on this one however much the police may bungle what they are doing let them finish the process . what does meting with the PM do to Sandy’s case absolutely nothing
Agree. I can’t imagine why the PM would concede to such a meeting in the midst of an investigation.
what the PM will do if he meet sandy why he want to meet him the head of the state have no reason meet with him you know how much people get lock up and was let go if everyone want to meet with the PM he will not have much time he have to do the country business