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Prisons officer killed execution-style
Published: 8 Nov 2009
Murdered prisons officer
Ian Seegobin.
A well-orchestrated hit, hatched from within the walls of the prison, is believed to have led to the execution-styled killing of prisons officer Ian Seegobin, on Saturday night. This is the theory Northern Division police are working on, after gunmen opened fire on Seegobin from point-blank range. The 34-year-old officer, with 14 years’ service, was assigned to the Remand Yard at Golden Grove in Arouca. He lived at Kelly Village in Caroni. Seegobin, who was divorced, was ambushed and killed while on his way to visit his cousin who lived on Cemetery Street in Tacarigua. Investigators believed that Seegobin pulled into the street and had just exited his car when he was shot four times, including once in the head. His killers, police suspect, were closely monitoring his movements for sometime.
Residents, police said, gave a sketchy description of the perpetrators, adding that a Mazda 323 was the vehicle they used. As visibly-shaken relatives grappled with the brutal and brazen attack on Seegobin, they disclosed that one month ago, Seegobin confessed to death threats being made on his life. One of Seegobin’s aunts, who spoke on behalf of the family and requested anonymity said his death was a reflection that society had failed. “There are some really bad killers outside, and when people who have a commitment to protect and transform have to die like this, then society has failed.” She said on many occasions Seegobin’s family tried to persuade him to follow a different career path.
Police said it was suspected that Seegobin might have been responsible for beating several prisoners, and this might have caused anger among the inmate population. But relatives strongly refuted these allegations, painting Seegobin as far from being a violent person. “That’s the normal suspicion for somebody like a prisons officer. Even if he disciplined someone at prison, it was just discipline. He had no reason to be constantly looking over his shoulder,” the relative insisted. She pointed to the frequent attacks on law enforcement officers, citing the shooting, last week, of Prisons Officer I Anthony Sinanan, of Dow Village in California, Couva.
Sinanan, who also worked in Remand Yard, was shot in both legs just after leaving work. “With all the attacks on law enforcement officers, it just seems that this is a wrong profession,” the relative added. Echoing similar sentiments, Seegobin’s friend Richard Sheed, a retired Scotland Yard officer, called for the senseless killings to cease. “I find this is as a result of insane banditry, and these people should be removed from society. Which was what he (Seegobin) was trying to do and ended up losing his life as a result of it. Something has to be done. I am sure the people who are at the top to this profession have tried their best, but they need to rethink, because this is just too much,” Sheed said.
this guy probably had
this guy probably had information that the other corrupt officers did not want him speaking about so he was taken out before he could make a mistake and speak. could be a case of "Seegobin" KNOW TOO MUCH.
Another twist. Just as there
Another twist. Just as there are rogue cops we know there are rouge prison officers. Could this guy have payed the price with his life for being a 'sell out' by reporting his colleagues illegal activities???
Anyone ever heard of hidden
Anyone ever heard of hidden cameras. The prison officers should not object since they are treating ALL the prisoners fairly. This would also let the public see for what their tax dollars are being used. This way very little gets "swept under the rug".
"EXECUTION STYLE KILLING" -
"EXECUTION STYLE KILLING" - PRISON OFFICER:-
One of our citizen has been murdered, "execution style". It sends a ripple among our people of fear and uncertainty. Where have we gone wrong as a country that the lives of our people appear to have no value to many among us. My condolences to the family left to grieve for this young man, Mr. Ian Seegobin.
The Police now have the duty to determine the FACTS surrounding his killing. Instead of throwing out asssumptions and hearsay as is evident from this article they should be acting in a professional manner, saying only what is necessary, and factual, and concentrating on thorough investigating techniques to detmine the facts surrounding this case. They are giving out too much information without facts to substantiate the claims. It does not put our Officers in a good light.
Mr. Seegobin's place of employment houses some of our 'anti-social' members of society and as can be expected they may conduct themselves in a manner that is not acceptable to most of us. Anything is possible, but this still does not give our Police a free reign to assume that Mr. Seegobin violated his Terms of Employment or that this was "A well-orchestrated hit, hatched from within the walls of the prison." Yes, the Police must pay careful attention to the claims being made that he "confessed to death threats being made on his life."
Our CoP Mr. Philbert must now instruct his Officers to follow rigid guidelines to investige this case and to also look at the claims that perhaps there are wrong-doings going on behind our prison walls. Do not assume that this is an 'open and shut' case.
Also, we would like our Police Officers responsible for speaking with the media to conduct themselves in a professional manner, answering questions and providing only the facts, and not being afraid to say 'I don't know' or 'no comment' to questions that may be asked unless they are certain of the information they provide. Giving out incorrect information can have serious consequences, and should not be condoned.
Gardenia.
Gardenia, I support your
Gardenia, I support your suggestion about the need to be sensitive about divulging information. As a general rule, I support transparency and freedom of information and freedom of expression, a basic principle in our constitution. But when it comes to matters of national security, you have to be selective in what you divulge in order to not jeorpardise ongoing investigations. Too often the police go singing to the press who can themselves be indiscreet at times just for a story. By all means you go public when you need to obtain public help for intelligence, information and evidence. Or if you need to alert the public for their awareness of a threatening situation.
But by giving out too much information, facts or speculation, prematurely, you are helping the criminals to keep one step ahead of you all the time. That's basic common sense.
On Nov 8 there was a story
On Nov 8 there was a story about a prison guard being arrested for smuggling contraband into the prison.
MY question is Could this be a reprisal killing???
As acting CoP would say its 'natural justice'. See story in todays Guardian, ' South Summit Officers Honoured'.
I am a ex prison officer, i
I am a ex prison officer, i left the service because there are some officers more corrupt and dispicable than the inmates they supervise, there are more honourable and honest officers than these maggot officers who will bring drugs , phones and other contraband to convicted felons endangering the lives of officers and inmates alike. The officers who traffick in contraband are known by all officers , speak up officers you could be next, hits are being called from inside the prison by cell phones brought in by officers to kill officers. Mr Rougier the lives and the wellfare of your officers and their families are the most important thing if they feel unsafe and threatned the whole prison system will fall apart. Mr Rougier and Mr Minister of National Security, you have a canine unit at the Prison Service where Mr Brown have been training these dogs for years why not have these dogs at the prison gates and periodic searches in the prisons, how much taxpayers money have gone into hiring of officers and training of thes dogs at the canine unit, use the dogs.As an ex officer i hope rogue officers are brought to justice swiftly and punished to the fullest extent of the law. GOOD OFFICERS DONT GIVE UP KEEP UP THE GOOD JOB. MJ
A life has been taken and we
A life has been taken and we chose to beat up on the victim.
My condolence to the family of this person, who elected to serve this country as a prison officer and has lost his life for it.
I hope the other rogue officers who take cell phones and encourage prisoners with unlawful things are proud of themselves today.
WAKE UP T&T OPEN YUH EYES
WAKE UP T&T OPEN YUH EYES -
The Drug Economy is estimated in the tens of billions, some say as much as 60 billion. We do not know if Drug Lords are financing our Political parties. These occurrences and the general breakdown in crime are directly related to the seemingly accepted Drug Culture. You could change twenty leaders and do not address this issue, you are spinning top in mud. As matter of fact if the Drug Lords see you getting an upper hand on them they just Finance another party to take over so that business can go on as usual.
WATCH OUT MY CHILDREN
We tend to always blame the
We tend to always blame the Government and the Police for the breakdown in our society, they have their share of blame we cant deny that, but what about the people who dont allow the police to do their jobs without critcising their motives. Whenever someone is killed by the police, there is always an uproar from the population claiming Police brutality, and claims of criminals being unarmed when shot by the police,to them the criminals are always right.That the real reason that the criminals do what they want, because the people support their actions. You are either on the side of the law, or you would rather the criminals take over.Its only when the criminals kills someone close to them that they support the Police Wake up people. Panvalboy
If the police suspect
If the police suspect Seegobin was beating prisoners then why didn't the police intervene? Once again make the victim the subject because if the authorities go after the criminals they know their faith. Contrary to what the clueless CoP said yesterday about actively pursuing the criminals I believe that the criminals already have a head start and are purseuing the cops.
Yes the police should have
Yes the police should have intervened but prison brutality has been a norm for a long time now. Society believes that once you are in prison you are a criminal and should be treated as such and that is the wrong approach. Take Mr Vernon Edward Wilson for instance, this is a man who was beaten while he was handcuffed then taken to the cell block and beaten again. This beating wasn't used to break up the fight, this beateing was after both men were restrained. It's very sad that a person has to die before changes to how human beings are treated are made but the Commisioner of prisons should ensure Firm but Fair policing is applied behind prison walls. Every human being has rights regardless of what they have done. http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=161554778
With all the reported police
With all the reported police abuse & brutality on suspects, and in some cases the innocent, do we really need this comment from our "not so perfect" police...
"Police said it was suspected that Seegobin might have been responsible for beating several prisoners"
What kind of message does this stupid comment send...?? If thats their theory then whats the percentage of police officers that should/could have suffered the same fate?? Ah hoping that his family will be afforded the same gracious public sympathy as was given to those dead criminals last week by our CoP.....Condolences to the family.
This guy was known for
This guy was known for abusing inmates, some of them to near death experiences, the system allowed it. he thought he run things by using violence and created a power within his mind. this type of violence was allowed by the prison system. He planted cruelty to others, he reaped cruelty to himself......in abundance. Now, the crop over for him. May he rest in peace, hope he tells God it was just DISCIPLINE.
The policeman that made such
The policeman that made such a stupid comment should apologize immediately and be censured by the Commissioner of Police. Why does he say something like that with no evidence to verify it and while the issue is under investigation. Is that statement made somehow to appease the criminals or to absolve police incompetence in solving the crime issue in TT?
and the reporters are just
and the reporters are just as stupid with their line of questioning. why did not the reporter follow up with another question as to how the police arrive at this conclusion. sometimes i believe the reporters make up the questions and answer them on their own. this is very poor journalism.
Until any of you go to
Until any of you go to prison, even if it's for stealing a sweetie and see how brutal prison officers are then you will stop making those silly comments. I'm not saying it's right for him to be killed but every man is different and not evryone takes brutallity in the same way. The motto of the prison service is "to hold and treat" not "to hold and beat" people die from licks in prison and it's swept under the carpet. Remember when you are on remand you are innocent until proven guilty!
No one denies that there are
No one denies that there are rogue elements in the prison service as in the police service, but that is no reason to be targeting prison and police officers. There seems to be an orchestrated plan afoot. No respect for law and order in the counrty at all levels, descending into chaos and anarchy, if not arrested. The people are tired of police talk and no matching action. It is unfortunate that the CoP has to take the flak for his incompentent bosses, but he has to learn how to best manage the resources he has at his disposal. With the economy continuing to slip due to the recession and mismanagement of those in charge, and with the underworld economy continuing to grow, the police do not have the luxury of time on their side. They need to act forcibly but fairly and must win over public support and confidence. This is where Philbert can play an important role in his management functions.
Once again the victim
Once again the victim becomes the centre of the controversy. Shot call from inside prison walls was the talk. So the criminals have just as much power during their incarceration.
....and how much time did
....and how much time did you to garner such knowledge?
To answer your question,
To answer your question, 9yrs and after you or someone else responds to my comment which I know is going to happen I will then prove what i was saying all along.
London-Trini.....9 years is
London-Trini.....9 years is a looong time in prison, hope you weren't locked up unjustly.
Aye man, everyone know that
Aye man, everyone know that prison officers are the ones who beat prisoners mercilessly. The vent their anger and rage on prisoners and are often at the centre of contraband goods that are brought in. While I sympathize with the family of this prison officer, I am sure that there is more in the mortar than the pestle here.
Very valid observation. The
Very valid observation. The police must act more and talk less in such matters.
The police service looks for
The police service looks for an easy way out on everything.
They can't call this drug or gang related so they feed the media the next best thing instead of doing any sort of investigative work.
Open and shut as far as the TTPS is concerned.
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