The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A FULL report, including recommendations, from Department of Public Prosecutions officials regarding the unlawful killing of Aaron Rolle two years ago is expected by the end of the week, Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson said yesterday.

Mrs Maynard Gibson told The Tribune the report is expected to suggest whether prosecutors intended to levy charges against the officers involved in the incident.

On May 7, 2013, a jury consisting of four women and one man concluded that force used against Rolle by police while in custody was unjustifiable.

Rolle, who was 20 at the time, died at the Southern Police Station on February 8. His death came hours after he was taken into custody for questioning related to armed robbery and escape.

“I have asked the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions to report to me on the matter and I expect to have some news on that by the end of the week where the progress is,” Mrs Maynard Gibson said.

In June Mrs Maynard-Gibson insisted that her office was working diligently on the case. She told The Tribune then that her team had received the court’s recommendations and was “working as hard as we can to make sure the public feels expedition”.

However, there has been no word from the Attorney General’s Office since then.

While no charges have been brought against the two officers involved, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said last month that they are “still interdicted from duty”.

Commissioner Greenslade said Constables 2126 Akiel Smith and 2648 Carl Smith have not been in police uniform since Rolle’s death.

Last week, Christina Galanos, the lawyer representing Rolle’s family, said the family still questions whether there will ever be closure with the case.

Ms Galanos told The Tribune that she has simply been unable to answer their concerns.

When the inquest closed into Rolle’s death, Acting Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez recommended the file be reviewed to determine whether action should be taken against the officers. She also suggested that it be forwarded to the Commissioner to conduct disciplinary proceedings against the men.

There was also a recommendation that the police force implement surveillance in interrogation rooms, with the control of cameras and recordings monitored by a separate department at police headquarters or elsewhere.