The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

Tribune Staff Reporter

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson said her office is working diligently on the Aaron Rolle “unlawful killing” case.

As they consider the Coroner’s Court recommendations on the death in police custody, she said, her team is “working as hard as we can to make sure the public feels expedition”.

She confirmed yesterday that the recommendations have been received and are currently under review by her team.

The recommendations from Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez were revealed earlier this week, on Tuesday, following the close of the inquest into the death of Aaron Rolle.

Ms Weech-Gomez recommended 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.

She also recommended surveillance, with the control of cameras and recordings monitored by a separate department at Police Headquarters or elsewhere.

Also recommended was for police officers to receive training in the proper restraining of suspects at least every two to three years.

Mrs Maynard-Gibson said yesterday: “The recommendations have been received in the office of the Attorney General (and) they are being considered by my team. They will consider them, advise me, and then I will act upon it appropriately, in consultation with others, as necessary.”

Noting the officers involved remain on administration leave, when asked if she believed that may be seen as insensitive by some, she explained that is all a part of the “process” that must be followed.

“Bahamians fully understand that there is a process and the process must be fair and the process clearly dictates that in these circumstances, they are put on administrative leave – with pay,” she said. “And so, yes, people may feel that it is insensitive but people also understand that process is very important in demonstrating fairness as it applies to everybody across the board.”

As for what will happen to the officers involved – such as the suggested disciplinary action by the Commissioner, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “I don’t want to preempt those who advise me. They have received the recommendations, they are considering them, and they will advise.

“I want to add, I want to give the assurance that my team does understand that within our resources we must expedite manners... We are all working as hard as we can to make sure the public feels expedition in the entire process – fairness and expedition, both.”

The recommendations came after a jury in the coroner’s inquest of Aaron Rolle found that his death was an “unlawful killing”.

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.

The coroner’s court does not determine guilt or make any findings or suggestions of criminal, civil, or disciplinary liability.

The role of the court is to determine who the deceased was, how the deceased died, when, where and by what means.