The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has revealed scathing findings against police officers of the Western Division in relation to the fatal shooting of PC Clarence Gilkes.
On Thursday, the PCA said it concluded that members of the police “abused their power and deliberately misled the Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP).”
The media release added that evidence revealed that police officers shot at an unarmed civilian and PC Clarence Gilkes became an unintended target. It said scientific evidence gathered clearly shows PC Gilkes was shot by one of his fellow officers.
The incident on April 22nd is said to have followed officers of the Western Division Task Force responding to a report of a man armed with high-powered guns at Rich Plain, Diego Martin. The Acting Commissioner was informed by the officers that 44 year old PC Gilkes was shot at and killed by the suspect. This in turn led to a manhunt.
The PCA said it has made recommendations to the offices of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Acting Commissioner of Police.