Police trying to close investigation into prison officers' murders

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Bavita Gopaulchan

There is a legal hurdle blocking police from closing the investigations into the killings of prison officers Trevor Serrette and Nigel Jones.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner, Wendell Williams said this is why the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has not been able to provide the public with conclusive information on the investigation.

Prison officers Jones and Serrette were gunned down in separate incidents last November.

Jones was murdered while with his 4-year-old daughter at Old Siparia Road Junction while Serrette, 48, was killed at a fruit stall in Sangre Grande.

Nine people were detained in connection with Serrette’s murder. However, no one has been arrested for Jones’ killing.

“We have investigations continuing into the killings of Mr. Serrette and Mr. Jones. There has been significant material obtained in one of these investigations in particular. We have a legal hurdle to cross and that is part of the reason why we are not able to bring to you some conclusive information on that particular investigation,” Williams indicated.

“We have seen some excellent work done and we intend to push to get what we need to solve and deter. So, we will continue looking at the prison,” he added.

Last December, a hit list was discovered at the Remand Yard, Golden Grove Prison, in Arouca. At the top of the list were prison officers Serrette and Jones with the word, “dead” written next to their names.

“We’ve been aware for a while that certain inmates, some on remand in prison, have been complicit ion committing murders while in prison so one of the areas that I intend to continue to give effort in is treating with that,” he affirmed.

Williams assured that police are working on new ways to partner with the prison service to ensure the safety of its officers. Additionally, he said police will continue to crack down on errant prison officers who have been facilitating criminal activities behind the prison walls.