KEVON FELMINE
South Western Division police are awaiting advice from their legal department on how to proceed with their investigations into the assault of PC Ronald David, who was bashed in the head during the Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations on Saturday.
Police said David, 39, remained warded in a critical condition at the San Fernando General Hospital yesterday recovering from severe head wounds.
They said doctors were able to stabilise him and his health was progressing.
The four men and one woman who were held for the incident remained in custody.
Reports stated that David was taking part in the J’Ouvert celebrations near his Techier Village home when he tried to quell a commotion that occurred when a bus tried to drive through his band.
Witnesses said he got into an argument with a group of people who rushed out of the bus and began beating him.
During the fight, the woman took up a brick and struck him several times on the head until be became unconscious.
They ran back to the bus but police eventually caught up with them.
David was taken to the Point Fortin Area Hospital and while being transferred to the San Fernando Hospital had to be resuscitated after his heart stopped.
David is attached to the Guapo Police Station but was off duty when beaten.
The female suspect is from Maloney while the men are from Tunapuna and Macoya.
Mayor: Celebrations were safe
Despite David’s near death and reports of two other stabbings on Saturday, Point Fortin mayor Clyde Paul said those incidents happened outside the parade route. Paul said the celebrations went smoothly as for the first time, 33 bands crossed the judging area by 9.30 am because of the added security measures put in place.
He said while the police did a great job to ensure people’s safety, no one could predict human behaviour, especially when alcohol was involved.
“My problem is how do you prevent those violent people from interfering with the celebrations. Police tried their best but the reality is that some people get wild during fete time and when they get drunk, they can’t control themselves.
“Imagine it was a woman who committed this evil act and I heard that the woman was saying, ‘A police have to die today’ and ‘She don’t fraid no police.’
“Point Fortin people are not about war and violence. At one time we celebrated Borough Day alone but it has become a national and international event and we accept all visitors,” Paul said.