Suspect Under Scrutiny While Police Gather Evidence

Chester Williams

There are reports that the parents of the child have asked that no charges be brought in the matter, for whatever reason, but that is unconfirmed at this time. According to Williams, even if that is so, the perpetrator would still be arrested and charged. If and until criminal charges are laid, the alleged predator is being kept under scrutiny to ensure that he does not run.

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Regional Commander, Eastern Division South

“The alleged perpetrator is not in custody at this time; like I’ve said before, we are investigating. We do not want to detain somebody now and investigate whilst the person is in custody because at the end of forty-eight hours if we have not obtained the level of evidence we need to effect an arrest, we will have to release him. So to ensure that we are on the right track, we are investigating around him, we are monitoring him and the airport authority will be notified to ensure that he does not leave the country in the event that he may want to leave the country and try to escape whatever repercussions that may result from this allegation. So we continue to investigate the matter. I am confident that between tomorrow or by the end of this week, we would have reached where we want to go to determine whether or not we need to arrest and charge somebody.”

Reporter

“Sir, has a medical examination been performed on the child?”

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams

“I cannot say at this time. The person in charge of the domestic violence unit was directed to do certain things and those things required a process and therefore I am allowing the process to take its course.”

Reporter

“Did the responding officers act suitably, act sufficiently to protect this child and to also try to take a perpetrator out of circulation?”

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams

“While yes the police have a duty to protect any person—a child or a citizen per say—the primary person with the responsibility to protect that child and ensure the best interest of the child is protected is the parent of the child. And based on what I was briefed by my officers is that they were told certain things by the parent of the child and based on what they were told by the parent, the police acted. And I have not seen any misconduct on the part of the police officers who had dealt with the situation in the first instance. What is important to me now is how we move forward from where we are today and hence the reason I have directed that a full investigation be conducted. And I will tell you that if it is confirmed that the child was indeed molested and the parents of the child do not wish to proceed to court with any court action, then we will request the social services to take the matter upon themselves—because the law makes provisions—that the social officer can be a complainant. We will ask the social services to take up the matter and be the complainant on behalf of the child to protect the child’s interest in the matter.”

Despite taking heat for the delay in pressing charges, Williams says that there was no misconduct on the part of his officers.