by Linda Straker
- Warnings had been issued at least 2 days prior that men were also a flight risk
- 3 escapees are facing capital murder charges
- 4 police officers charged on Tuesday morning
Prime Minister and National Security Minister Dickon Mitchell said that he will not accept responsibility for the “human error” in the police force that resulted in the escaping of 3 men from a police station who are now facing capital murder charges after causing the death of 2 American citizens onboard a yacht.
Ron Mitchell, 30 years old; Trevon Robertson, 25; and Atiba Stanislaus, 23 years old, had been in police custody on charges of Rape, Robbery with Violence and other serious offences, and recently escaped. They were scheduled to attend court on 19 February but escaped custody the day prior.
It is believed they hijacked the yacht named Simplicity and killed the occupants, who were 2 American citizens. The trio was captured in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“The police are the ones responsible for the custody of prisoners. If police action leads to the escape of a prisoner or prisoners, the responsibility lies with the police, and I think we have demonstrated in those circumstances action will be taken with relations to the police,” said Mitchell. “As the Minister for National Security, the fact that I am here speaking to the issue means that from a public perspective, yes, we accept responsibility for what has happened, but if you ask me if I accept personal responsibility, then obviously, the answer is no,” he said in response to whether the Minister for National Security should take ultimate responsible for his subordinates.
The Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) falls directly under the Ministry for National Security.
The Prime Minister told journalists in his first news conference since the escaping of the prisoners on 18 February, that an internal investigation conducted by the RGPF into the incident revealed that human error was responsible for the men escaping lawful custody. 4 officers have since been charged under the Police Act.
“The investigations revealed that the 4 individual cells at the South St George’s Police station had secure and proper functioning locking mechanisms. However, the 3 prisoners had not been placed inside the individual cells which had the secure locking mechanism but instead at the time of their escape they were in a corridor which had burglar bars, and which was immediately located outside of the 4 locking cells,” he disclosed.
“By being there, it allowed them to bend the wrought iron or iron grill that secures that corridor area and to escape. It is therefore clear that had the men been placed in individual locking cells which had proper and functioning mechanisms they would not have escaped or had an opportunity to escape,” he said.
“Further warnings had been issued at least 2 days prior that the men were high risk and were also a flight risk and, therefore, based on those warnings it was more important to ensure that all of the standard operating procedures were followed to minimise any risk associated with the prisoners being at the police station,” he read from a prepared text.
“The investigation, therefore, has concluded that there was a failure to heed to crucial alerts, a failure to follow the standard operating procedures. There was clear supervisory negligence and improper shift handovers and that those factors contributed to the opportunity being presented to the prisoners to escape. In summary, it is accepted by the police that human error primarily in the form of negligence played a pivotal role in the escape,” he said.
On Tuesday morning, 4 police officers were charged ranging from making a false statement to permitting the escape of a prisoner, to failure to comply with standing orders. The Prime Minister did not provide details on the offence each officer is facing. The matter will not be heard in a criminal or civil court but in accordance with the disciplinary section of the Police Act.
The situation involving the escape of prisoners and the subsequent tragedy is undoubtedly a matter of public concern. When it comes to leadership and accountability, there are varying perspectives. The Prime Minister’s acknowledgment of collective responsibility recognizes that as the head of the government and the Minister for National Security, he shares responsibility for the actions of the police force. In this view, any failure within the system reflects on the entire leadership structure. On the other hand, the Prime Minister distinguishes between collective accountability and personal culpability. He asserts that while he accepts public responsibility, he does not personally accept blame for the incident. This perspective emphasizes individual actions and decisions. Ultimately, public opinion will shape how this situation is perceived. Some may argue that leaders should take ultimate responsibility for their subordinates’ actions, while others may appreciate the distinction made by the Prime Minister. It’s essential for leaders to strike a balance between accountability and fairness, especially in critical matters like this one.
Disingenuous much…….this is the reason we have laws that form into policies and procedures that one is governed by. If you are hired to get a job done, as an employee rest assured your employer doesn’t take personal responsibility for your mishaps.
As a matter of fact, “as the minister of national security, we accept responsibility.” Get your facts straight and stop asking questions to make unnecessary and misleading mischief.
Many gunshots on Hog Island last night and I wonder if this was rounding up yet another prisoner on the loose? Despite the recent unnecessary prison escapes people can feel safer in Grenada than most of the rest of the world.
See what I mean the truth hurts
Nowgrenada.com you keep talking my comments of the page because the truth hurts and you don’t like the truth your prime minister got no backbone to apologize it’s his responsibility as prime minister and national security minister but now grenada.com don’t like the truth so they keep taking my comments away that’s not freedom of speech so without grenada.com the truth hurts and you don’t like it but the truth does hurt
He should acknowledge the failure of his team but he shouldn’t have to resign/quit as it happens all the time in the USA. This was a very unfortunate event that will have repercussions unfortunately . Everyone wants a fall guy. It is a learning experience at this point.
B a man not a wimp take responsibility
Mr. Dickon (not to confused with Keith) not only you are the Prime Minister of this gem on an island but more importantly the Minister with responsibility for national security. You had already lost the public relations campaign on this matter so today’s interaction was an ideal opportunity for damage control and re-affirmation of the peaceful nature of this island and its people.
The question now lies and to be asked: was your distant claim of responsibility which, sadly was lacking, driven by political ineptitude based on youthfulness or simply arrogance couched in ignorance.
By the way, being a member of the diaspora I have been working to allay the fears and provide reassurances to the many “foreign” folks who have contacted me since the unfortunate event of the past week or so.
It is amazing that after listening to the entire press conference, that this is what is presented as headline. I was wondering why this journalist asked this question? The headline does not reflect what came out of the press conference, neither does it properly reflect the tone and intent in the Prime Ministers response. Journalists and media personnel must be cognizant that people who know better are paying attention to how you report news, because most of us have seen it live.
Yes, I watched the press conference and I was surprised by the headline..then some of the comments written here failed to recognise that the police stations that are not fit for purpose, the lack of equipment at our ports was inherited. The Prime Minister highlighted loads of things that is wrong with our society. J, calling the Prime Minister little boy is not nation building..people very often use this platform to show total lack of respect for others.
Mr. Prime Minister its too late to be casting blame.. what you should be focused on now is making amends with the victims family and trying to recreate the image of safety in the eyes of our international visitors. I don’t get why at this time these statements are coming from you, neither the fact that you are not accepting responsibility, we get that you are not directly involved; however, you are the head of the country, focus on taking ownership and reaching out to the family. These criminals are Grenadians the country you lead and not from any other nation.
You are to right tthomas
With all due respect, Prime Minister, do you believe the change in Police leadership plays a role in the recent laxities of the force? And do you believe your reported failure and refusal to communicate, man to man, with former Commissioner Martin, contributed significantly to his unfortunate (for the Nation) resignation?