And in other unfortunate police news - a cop could face dismissal after being charged for the theft of an exhibit firearm, specifically a 38 revolver.
PC Walford Smart is accused of taking a weapon that was being held as an exhibit in cases of possession of an illegal firearm. While the gun should have been safely kept in the exhibit area, instead, on Saturday cops found it in an abandoned lot on Unity Street.
Today the Commissioner says they trace the chain of custody and it led back to PC Smart:
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"From what I was briefed by the director of national prosecution is that there was a case of an unlicensed firearm and PC Smart who was the court orderly went and signed for the firearm at the exhibit room. After the case was over he did not return resign the firearm back in to the exhibit room. The firearm was recovered by police in a bushy lot in the Unity Street area and based on that investigation was conducted and he was charged for theft."
Jules Vasquez
"Is there an indication if he knowingly or unlawfully transacted the weapon or was it just misplaced?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"We cannot say, but he has an obligation to return the firearm to the exhibit keeper after the case. That was not done and he had at no time reported the firearm to have been stolen or missing."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you work for him to be removed from the department for such a serious lapse.?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"Well, he was placed on interdiction today. He will be placed on disciplinary charge and once found guilty, the consequence is certainly dismissal."
