BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – RETIRED Commissioner of Police Robert Jeffers has refuted the allegation made by a taxi operator, who claimed that he did not render assistance to a Police Sergeant during a gang war at Port Zante last Friday (Jun. 21).
“What seemed wrong to me and many onlookers was the blatant refusal of rendering assistance to the Sergeant by the Head of Security at Mau Pau who stood at the entrance of the casino and watched the proceedings,” the taxi operator alleged.
Jeffers however cleared the air on the issue and provided this publication with his version of what transpired on the day in question.
The former Top Cop, who is the Head of Security at Mau Pau on Port Zante, stated that sometime after 5:00 p.m. while executing his duties at the casino, an altercation ensued among a number of young men who were patrons at the bar.
Jeffers claimed that one of the men works at the Rum Barrel Bar on Port Zante and he “drives the trolley”.
“I went to investigate and to bring about some semblance of order. However, during my intervention, one of the men boxed me in my stomach and I sent the Supervisor to call the police, but none of them were seen,” Jeffers said.
He however noted that he and other security personnel of the casino finally got the men to leave the premises.
Jeffers also noted that once outside, the men continued the altercation with the throwing of bottles and, sometime after, a Police Sergeant arrived and was trying to quell the situation but hard a hard time doing so.
“Unlike what the taxi operator said, I could not have left my place of duty to give assistance to the Sergeant. My powers end at Mau Pau’s door! So I stood at the entrance of the casino and observe what was happening.”
He said no one was arrested, as some of the men fled in the direction of Fat Tuesday and another set in the direction of Smoke ‘N’ Booze.
The retiree also said that the Sergeant was not under any threat and, if he were he would have indeed rendered assistance even if it meant abandoning his duties at Mau Pau.
Jeffers even made reference to two incidents that occurred on Port Zante. One in which he had to rebuke the police on a press release, and the other concerned the said Sergeant involved in the bottle throwing incident.
“A few weeks ago, an incident occurred down here where a tourist was robbed and a Customs Officer intervened and apprehended the robber. The police, in a press release, took credit and failed to state who was responsible for the apprehension.
“In my wisdom as a former Commissioner, I contacted Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley and informed him of the incident and advised on the use of the correct procedure by the Public Relations Officer.
“The second incident concerns the behaviour of the Sergeant. A couple of Fridays ago, whilst performing my duties at Mau Pau, the Sergeant and a Female Constable entered the casino. They walked past me without saying anything and continued walking through the casino. When they were leaving, I approached and asked the Sergeant, ‘Can I assist you?’ and he replied, ‘It’s only a matter of time?’ I did not and do not know what he meant by that remark and I therefore took it as a threat.”
The former Commissioner is adamant that he has no ‘beef’ or ‘axe to grind’ with the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force; an organisation that he had served with dedication and a high degree of professionalism for 41 years.