CORRUPT state officials are contributing to gang violence in this country.
Senior Superintendent Kerwin Francis of the Northern Division said that just like drug trafficking, illegal quarrying and competing for state contracts often led to bloody fights between gangs.
He said those corrupt individuals were making the job of the police more difficult.
Speaking at the weekly police media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on Thursday, Francis said recently illegal quarrying increased in the Eastern Division with one gang from the Northen Division being involved.
He said, “From our information, there are corrupt state officials involved, not only within the TTPS because we know that is an issue that arises, but also in the other entities that are charged with the responsibility of managing and controlling state lands. There is that propensity and ability for these individuals to reach out to them to cause them not to act.
Francis added that some state officials were also afraid to act due to the violent nature of some persons.
“In furtherance to that, because of their ability to commit acts of violence, some of these state officials are afraid to act, and so when you seek to engage them to get co-operation you might get some sort of delay in their actions.”
With regards to illegal occupants on state lands, Francis said the Commissioner of State Lands has the authority to evict illegal occupants.
“They (the commissioner) have powers that give them the ability to go onto these lands and cause these persons to stop their activities and have them ejected through the courts.So there is a mechanism in place in law to treat with it, but it requires a robust approach by all state entities involved,” he said.
Prosecution on the table for minors in gangs
Francis also made an appeal to parents of minors who were involved in gang activity to stop condoning their illicit actions.
He said, “I want to appeal to parents of minors. The parents who are supporting them in being members of gangs and harbouring them in their gang-related activities. Our investigations will consider your conduct in these matters and prosecution will be on the table for consideration.”
The senior superintendent appealed to the public to have patience with the police as they continue to do their duties in curbing crime.
