PM concerned over police officer charges

Grenada’s prime minister has said that he is very concerned about the increasing number of police officers who have been charged with crimes.

Information confirmed by the police shows that during the first quarter of 2018, several officers were charged for offences – including crimes related to drug and sex.

“The matter has since been submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice and directives,” said the release from the Community Relations Department of the Royal Grenada Police Force.

Addressing the matter in his first news conference since returning to office following the 13 March general elections, Prime Minister Keith Mitchell – who is also the nation’s minister for national security – said that Acting Commissioner Winston James is also concerned.

“I am very concerned, and I think each of us should be concerned because these officers come from our own society,” he said.

“The persons affected are our own children and grandchildren, so each of us must be very concerned.

“They are supposed to be upholding the laws of the land, and if they are the ones breaking it, that is troubling.

He admitted that sexual and criminal activities are prevalent in every society in the region but said it is troubling when it occurs in Grenada.

“It’s quite frightening. It is something that all us should find very difficult, and I know the commissioner is very concerned,” he added.

“You are talking about the destruction of our society and our children must be protected.

“We have a fundament responsibility to recognise that we all have to protect the generations that we have brought here. We cannot be participating in destroying the same generation that we bring.”