Senior Reporter
shane.supervilel@guardian.co.tt
Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher has commended the work of Homicide Investigators who brought charges against three men who are suspects in two sets of unrelated murders.
In an audio clip sent to Guardian Media, Harewood-Christopher said the charges were the result of intense, thorough investigations. She noted that the work of the officers was an example of the police as their “very best” and lauded the investigators for their commitment to duty.
Referring to the murders of the four Peterkin siblings at La Retreat Extension, Arima, on September 21 and the murders of 13-year-old Andrea Lallan and her relative Sylvan Lallan, eight days later in Rio Claro, Harewood-Christopher described the acts as “repulsive”, but noted they triggered a strong police response.
In addition to the investigations into the recent murders, she said several crime-fighting strategies were yielding benefits. She stressed that while such developments were encouraging, the police were not satisfied.
“Notwithstanding the continuing incidence of homicides, the TTPS has been experiencing some positive anti-crime results over the past few months, which have been effective in suppressing what could easily be a much worse crime situation.
“This outcome bears testament to the confidence we have that our strategies are working and are delivering the results,” The CoP said.
“This in no way means that we are comfortable with the current state of affairs, particularly in relation to homicides and home invasions, but I give the national community the assurance that every day that we show up for work that we do our best and we work diligently to counter the criminal elements in our society.”
Harewood-Christopher also thanked the public for their support and assistance.
During a police media briefing last week, Snr Supt Rishi Singh, of the Homicide Bureau of Investigations, confirmed that the police had a Homicide detection rate of about 13.5 per cent.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were 459 murders for the year thus far, compared to 460 for the same period last year.