ASSISTANT Police Commissioner Leon Bethel yesterday warned Bahamian residents to be vigilant of persons posing as police officers. #He urged anyone who faces a situation like this to “quickly” dial 919 “whether you perceive the person to be a police officer or not.” #His warnings came after Tuesday’s murder of 44-year-old Andre Cartwright, a resident of Blair Estates, who was killed while defending his elderly parents after three armed men kicked down the front door to his home. #The men reportedly claimed they were police officers before they invaded the home, Cartwright’s relatives said. #Speaking on the sidelines of a “Father’s Day” breakfast at the RM Bailey high school, ACP Bethel said residents – if opting not to dial 919 first – should respond to the “officers” only if they “shout out their name, rank and serial number” first. #He also said that police have “some good leads” on Tuesday’s incident and were “doubling their efforts” in trying to “drive down the numbers” of home invasions. #He explained how police are supposed to identify themselves when they visit someone’s home. #“When I go on an operation and my officers go to execute, I have my police warrant card and I shout out ‘Assistant Commissioner Leon Bethel,’” he said. “I give my name right up front so (residents) can call the control room. The Drug Enforcement Unit does it, the Central Detective Unit does it, the uniformed operation does it, so if you call 919 right away, then control will be able to tell you if any officers were reported in that area. #“Police officers, if they are coming and they are genuine, they should shout out their name. If the officers don’t want to give their names and give some more information about them, then you should be concerned. #“If someone comes in that area and they’re kicking down the doors and they’re carrying on in a fashion that’s being described, you know they’re not police officers,” he added. “Even though they may be using some uniform that may look like police officers, people should just use their common sense. When you’re not sure just call 919.” #Mr Cartwright was at his Blair Estates home around 1:40am with his mother and father, both in their 60s, when three men kicked in the front door to their house. #According to reports, when he heard the noise, Mr Cartwright got his licensed shotgun and went to investigate. He encountered three suspects, one of whom was armed with a handgun. #There was a brief exchange of shots between both parties, which resulted in Mr Cartwright being shot multiple times and one of the suspects being shot. Mr Cartwright died at the scene, while the three suspects made their getaway in a silver coloured Honda Accord. #Shortly afterwards a woman driver arrived at the Princess Margaret Hospital with a man suffering from gunshot injuries in his chest. He was rushed into surgery and is listed in critical condition. #Responding officers took the woman into custody. Kevin Andrews, 18, of Faith Avenue was yesterday arrested in connection with the murder. #The home invasion has raised concerns that persons might pose as police officers as a means of gaining entry into homes. #When questioned about what police plan to do about these concerns, ACP Bethel said teams of “serious, serious officers” will be on the street in “full force” to “make the public safe for the Christmas season.” #“This activity people may want to engage in, with kicking down doors, we’re not going to allow that to happen,” he said. “We’re going to be out late in the night, we’re going to be out in the evening. You’ll see officers on the street doing road checks, stop and search, targeting prolific persons. We’re going to go after them to make sure they cannot arrange and plan criminal activities because we’re going to be disturbing them. #“So any crease and corner people believe they can roam about and commit crime they have something coming, because they’ll come face to face with me and a number of police officers as they go to try and commit crime.” More like this story
Posted on: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:49:09 +0000
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