Though an investigation report called for the prosecution of police officers involved in the alleged extra-judicial killings of 12 persons between 2009 and 2011, Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said the police force will not back down in its fight against crime.
“Those who believe that they can take advantage of this situation will be disappointed,” he told the nation on Sunday, March 8.
He assured citizens that the police force will implement measures to ensure that the “rule of law prevails and is respected”.
“The criminal elements should not feel encouraged or emboldened by this report or any actions that may be taken as a result of the investigations. Our government remains resolute in its pursuit of a safer and more secure country and we will employ all necessary lawful measures to ensure the security of our state and its citizens.”
He continued: “As I stated at the commencement of this address, this was a distressing issue to confront. Its complexity was compounded by the fact that our government knows that there are many among us who welcomed the actions taken during “Operation Restore Confidence”, as they saw these actions as being largely responsible for the abatement in violent crime that followed. But we are a people and a government governed by laws and no matter how serious the problem may appear, we must never abandon our responsibility to do what is legally and morally correct. As a former Commissioner of Police once said, “we cannot commit a crime to solve a crime.
“My Government has done its part and in the words of Lord Mansfield, which words were once echoed by former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Allan Louisy, “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”