Basseterre, St. Kitts (October 18, 2006): An article appearing in the SUN Newspaper for Tuesday 10, October, 2006 headlines "Officer Depressed over the killing of Sgt. Benjamin" was brought to the attention of the High Command of the police force.
According to a police press release dated Monday 10, October, 2006," the High command takes strong exception to this type of malicious and callous reporting which by extension reflect negatively on the management of SUN St. Kitts-Nevis.
In relations to the article that was written by Corliss Smithen of SUN Newspaper which seems to suggest that there was an interview with Constable Pemberton and the said author, in which Constable Pemberton is said to have made several statements regarding the incident at the Frigate Bay on Sunday 1, October, 2006, which involves the shooting death of Sgt. Benjamin, his personal feelings and treatment from his fellow officers including the high command.
The article also states that, "Pemberton feels alone and forsaken and laments that none of his fellow officers, the Police High Command or any of the authorities have been calling him or visiting him and that he feels no body cares and has exacerbated the situation."
In addition, "At the time of the event, Pemberton said he was wearing his personal vest that he bought for himself," which was stated in the SUN Newspaper.
The police press release states that "Constable Pemberton categorically denied making any such statements to anyone or to any journalist by the name of Corliss Smithen.
However in that same edition of the police press release, the High Command said they view the article that was written by Corliss Smithen of SUN Newspaper as an attempt to discredit the good name and integrity of the police, and therefore ask for a full retraction of such a vicious article and an apology of same to be published in the SUN Newspaper and be given the same prominence.
~~Adz:Right~~The SUN editor told SKNVibes that there will be no apology letter.
"I stand behind our reporter, she has done a very good job and she works very hard and professionally to get her work done and we are convinced that she has done her work in the right way and that she did conduct a interview with the officer," Expressed Editor Payne.
He added, "The ball is in the High Command court whatever procedures he wishes to take it's up to him but we have the necessary proof that an interview was conducted, stated Editor Payne SUN Newspaper.
