Foreign investigators probing theft of guns and ammunition from police station in Dominica | Caribbean

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC – Dominica’s National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmoore Friday confirmed that foreign investigators have arrived on the island to probe the disappearance of several firearms and ammunition from a police station in the west of the island.

Earlier this month, Blackmoore told a news conference that the government had approached the Trinidad-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS) for assistance in probing the theft of the guns and ammunition from the St Joseph Police Station.

Commissioner of Police Daniel Carbon had said that a total of nine firearms were stolen including six assault rifles and a quantity of ammunition in a different calibre.

Blackmoore said that among the investigators is a former commissioner of police and that they have been sworn in to office and have powers of arrest.

“Let us not be sidetracked from this very important investigation,” Blackmoore said, adding that the government is prepared to “let the chips fall where it may”.

The national security minister was also critical of a statement issued earlier this week by the Police Welfare Association (PWA) that had been critical of the police commissioner, saying “I will not support any attempt to undermine the security of the state.”

Blackmoore said that anyone who pushed the PWA to issue the statement, which he described as embarking on a “vicious attack on the police commissioner…is doing a disservice to the country”.

In its statement, the PWA said it has “repeatedly appealed to the Police Command to address the existing manpower shortage at the out-district police stations since such a shortage would negatively impact the proficiency and productivity of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF)”.

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