RHONDOR DOWLAT
Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt
The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has released alarming statistics revealing a sharp increase in fatal police shootings in 2024, further fueling concerns over law enforcement’s use of lethal force.
As of Monday, 29 people have been killed in police encounters, nearly matching the 30 fatalities recorded during the same period in 2023.
This troubling trend has come into sharp focus following a controversial police-involved shooting in Caroni that left three young people dead.
The early morning incident on Sunday claimed the lives of Amir “Pa” Bissoon, 16, Jaya Jodi Barath, 21, and Joseph Ramjit, 19, sparking outrage and calls for justice. According to police reports, officers were on patrol near the Caroni Cremation Site around 4:40 a.m. when they attempted to intercept a car carrying the three individuals. A high-speed chase ensued, culminating in a collision between the victims’ vehicle and a police car. Police allege that after the crash, the occupants opened fire, prompting officers to respond with lethal force.
The families of the deceased vehemently deny the police’s claims, insisting that their loved ones were not involved in criminal activities, despite allegations that they were affiliated with the Resistance Gang. Bissoon, Barath, and Ramjit were all residents of St. Augustine, with Barath, a mother of one, becoming a poignant symbol of the tragedy.
The PCA, tasked with investigating incidents of police misconduct, has confirmed that it has launched an inquiry into the Caroni shooting. While the investigation is still in its early stages, the PCA has assured the public that it will be thorough and impartial. However, they have not yet provided any detailed updates.
The Caroni incident is the latest in a series of fatal police encounters that have plagued the country this year.
The PCA’s data reveals a significant spike in such incidents, particularly in May, which saw nine fatalities—the highest monthly total so far in 2024. August is also shaping up to be another deadly month, with five recorded deaths just halfway through.
The rising toll has prompted widespread concern and calls for greater accountability from law enforcement. Community members, activists, and human rights groups have expressed their alarm over the increasing use of lethal force, questioning whether all these deaths were truly necessary.
The Caroni case, in particular, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over police tactics, with many demanding transparency and justice for the victims.
As the PCA continues its investigation into the Caroni shooting, the public remains anxious for answers. Was the use of deadly force justified? Could these lives have been saved? And what do the rising numbers of fatal police shootings indicate about the state of policing in 2024? The outcomes of the PCA’s inquiry will be critical in addressing these questions and in shaping the future of policing and public trust in law enforcement.