Family complains that police ransacked house
It did not take authorities long to react to the murder of P.C. Uwin Armstrong, as police units fanned out across the city following leads and looking for information. However, this morning one resident on the receiving end of that investigation told News 5 that their methods need some improvement.
Evelyn Flowers, Victim, Police Raid
?From here I am going to the police station because I have to get a satisfaction. They got to give me one. And when the thing the tumble down the police the holler they no care, he no mind what fall down, slammed his head all against the door there all of that, sho.?
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Sixty-three year old Evelyn Flowers says she was attending a wake when she returned home shortly after midnight on Sunday only to find that a squad of police had taken over her residence leaving a trail of broken furniture, scattered clothing and other items in a mess all over the house. Flowers says the police also handcuffed her twenty year old son. Apparently, they raided this house at the corner of Berkley Street and West Canal in search of the gun that was used in the shooting death of Police Constable Uwin Armstrong. Sources tell News 5 the police were also there to collect evidence in another shooting incident that occurred on Friday night at East Canal near Dean Street…but the cops came up empty handed.
Evelyn Flowers
?As I di come through the gate, the police had my son handcuffed there then I asked him what happened? He said they were looking for gun and he said dah if he shoot the police. So I told him P.C., this is my son, I know him. I say he only go to work and from work he come home, he nuh hang out with those boys. So I say how come you the look for gun.?
Flowers says she understands that the police have their job to do but there is no excuse for how they carried out the search:
Evelyn Flowers
?Yes, because look at how it look. They broke up my chair, everywhere dig up, all in the ceiling. Now say we had a gun, you think my son would have opened the door, he would have never opened the door, never. But we no have no gun here, this is not the first time you know. The police they come like three times now and they never searched liked how they search now.?
Flowers claims that her son, who was never arrested, was beaten by the police. Assistant Commissioner of Police Maureen Leslie advises flowers to file a formal complaint.
ACP Maureen Leslie, O.C Eastern Division
?Well if she is making that allegation then she needs to come in and go to IDD and we will look at that likewise because although we are investigating, we can?t trample on the rights of other people likewise. So if that is an issue, then definitely we will have to look at it.?
The police say their officers have guidelines to follow when conducting searches. In this incident, it appears that those rules were not ignored. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
