Stricter security at crime scenes

EXPECT STRICTER security and greater police vigilance at crime scenes in the future.This follows the beating of a policeman by bystanders at the scene of a vehicular accident on Tuesday night at Foursquare, St Philip.The lawman was treated for injuries to his face and body at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) and is now on leave. Two St Philip men have been charged for wounding with intent in connection with the incident. They appeared in the District “C” Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and were granted bail of $7 500 each with one surety.They are scheduled to reappear at the same court on October 18. In the interim, they must present themselves to the Oistins Police Station every Wednesday between 6 a.m. and 12 noon.“The force will not tolerate any police officer being assaulted while executing his duty,” said Inspector David Welch, the force’s public relations officer, yesterday. “There are things that can be done and will be done to deal with such situations,” stressed Welch, noting that the available legislation would be used to full effect.Welch said he understood that relatives of those involved in incidents would be anxious about the welfare of their family and would want information immediately, but they must allow the police on the scene to do their jobs.He explained that in order for lawmen to investigate accidents or other scenes of crimes thoroughly they needed to keep the public at a distance so photographs may be taken and any available material evidence retrieved.“The police are there to serve and protect, and we always endeavour to conduct our duties in a professional manner,” said Welch as he urged the public to co-operate with lawmen. He also encouraged eyewitnesses to reveal themselves to an officer on the scene so that he/she could get that information.Quizzed on whether these challenges to the police were symptomatic of growing anti-authority trends in the society, the veteran policeman would only say that it was a “worrying development”.“People are challenging police officers as they feel that they have a right to see what is happening . . . I have witnessed where people went against the police [at a scene] in the execution of their duties,” said Welch.