Former Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, has publicly criticized key aspects of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s (TTPS) investigation into the January 20th police shooting incident involving Kaia Sealy and the late Joshua Samaroo. He raises ten major concerns, spanning from evidence handling to the use of force, based on his 17 years as a military officer and his experience in national security and policing.
Griffith’s criticism includes doubts about the interpretation of a widely circulated slow-motion video from the incident. He argued that the outward flying shattered glass fragments do not necessarily prove a gun was fired from inside the vehicle, as shockwaves from gunfire can force glass fragments both inward and outward. He also questioned if important forensic procedures, such as gunshot residue testing on Sealy and fingerprint extraction from the firearm, were conducted.
The former commissioner criticized the conduct of the officers during the confrontation. Drawing from his military training, he stated that officers under hostile fire are trained to seek cover before returning fire. The use of force seen in the video raises serious questions about officers’ judgment, he said, especially the firing that reportedly resumed after a pause.
Griffith also criticized the current Commissioner of Police, Allister Guevarro, over previous comments related to the investigation. He advocated that officers involved in shootings should be removed from armed duties temporarily pending investigation. This, he said, is in line with international best practice.
Despite voicing strong criticism, Griffith insisted that his comments were not intended to declare officers guilty or attack the TTPS. However, he warned that unless clear answers are provided, public trust and confidence in the TTPS could continue deteriorating amid the national controversy surrounding the shooting.
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