The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A JUDGE has called for cameras to be installed at every police station and all interviews with suspects to be recorded in an effort to ensure officers follow proper procedures and prevent police brutality.

Following the close of the inquest into the death of Aaron Rolle, Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez also recommended that the surveillance and control of these cameras and recordings be monitored by a separate department at Police Headquarters or elsewhere and that police officers receive training in the proper restraining of suspects at least every two to three years.

Yesterday, more than a month after a coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “unlawful killing” in the custody death of Aaron Rolle, Mrs Weech-Gomez finally delivered her recommendations to the Attorney General’s Office.

She recommended that the file not only be reviewed to determine whether action should be taken against the officers but also that the file be forwarded to the Commissioner of Police to conduct disciplinary proceedings against the men.

In May, a four women one man jury, found that the force police used against Rolle while in police custody was unjustifiable.

Rolle, 20, died at the Southern Police Station on February 8, hours after he was taken into custody for questioning in connection with an armed robbery and escape.

A pathologist report later concluded that he died from haemorrhaging and a ruptured intestine, caused by blunt force trauma to the chest.

The interested parties, Police Constable 2126 Akiel Smith and Police Constable 2648 Carl Smith, testified that “force” was used on Rolle to restrain him after he attempted to escape police custody for the second time.

In a letter dated June 13 2013, addressed to Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson,  Mrs Weech Gomez made five separate recommendations for the Office of the Office of the Attorney General to consider.

Attorney Christina Galanos, who represented Rolle’s immediate family, said she understands why the Coroner was cautious in wording her recommendations but said the family is pleased that they were finally delivered.

“I understand why she was careful. The reason is because the Coroner’s Act provides no civil or criminal liability to be attached and so really it is not her role to say ‘Well, I think they should be prosecuted.’ I understand her caution. She would be overstepping herself if she comes out and says ‘prosecute them’,” she said.

“Now we wait and see what will happen given her recommendation. I just received it today and I see it was also given to the Attorney General and the Commissioner so I will wait a while and see if it is dealt with properly. If not the family has a recourse, preferably good sense will prevail and the jury’s decision will be taken seriously.”