Director of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) David West says the organisation is carefully looking at the police killing of 20-year-old Ray Phillip. West, who was appointed earlier this month, said over the weekend he sent an investigator to the crime scene in Diego Martin.
“There are certain things the PCA can do, like visit the scene and talk to people and take statements. We are looking at this matter with a view of seeking the truth and ensure that justice will be served in the interest of everyone,” West said. Asked to comment on the findings of the investigator West said he preferred not to disclose such information. He said he had not yet received a file on Phillip’s killing from the police but intended to write to them to obtain it.
“The file from the police is important. It would determine whether there are any inconsistencies when compared to what our investigator from the PCA had gathered,” West added. He said another main focus of the PCA was to ensure the body had the necessary teeth to be more effective. West said he had meetings recently with acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams and Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar, both of which he described as fruitful.
He said he was expected to meet with members of the Law Reform Commission (LRC) next Monday on the way forward, regarding legislation. The PCA’s former director Gillian Lucky had called for the PCA Act to be amended to give more authority and legislative power to those investigating serious police misconduct and corruption. Lucky had also urged timely co-operation from the police so the PCA could complete its investigations on time.
During Lucky’s tenure there were 19 cases of police killings which remained outstanding. West said the PCA was also pursuing those incidents.
Flashback
Police said Phillip was known to them and had been arrested for possession of an illegal gun and ammunition. The day he was killed, November 20, police said Phillip and a group of men fired several rounds at patrolling police and soldiers. They said around 11.30 pm, they were on patrol in the hills overlooking Richplain Road when they came under fire. They returned fire and during the shooting they heard screaming.
Phillip was found lying on the ground with gunshot wounds. Police said they found a nine-millimetre pistol and a walkie-talkie in his possession. He was taken to the St James Hospital where he was pronounced dead. On Saturday, relatives and friends of the dead man blocked the Diego Martin Main Road and demanded a probe into the killing.