BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – POPULAR Mathematics teacher and Chemist, Newrish Nital is questioning the charges police preferred against his son, which were published yesterday (Oct. 21) by this media house following a press release from the Public Relations Office of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
The release, dated October 21, 2015 and headlined “CONTINUOUS POLICE OPERATIONS RESULTS IN SEIZURE OF 16TH ILLEGAL FIREARM TO DATE”, stated that an early morning operation was conducted yesterday in Sandy Point by members of the Special Services Unit, who were supported by officers of ‘B’ Division, and during the execution of a search warrant on the residence occupied by Davereen Brownbill and Chavez Nital, one loaded 9mm semi-automatic pistol, three rounds of ammunition and a quantity of dried marijuana were found in the house.
“Both men have been arrested and charged for the Possession of an illegal firearm, Possession of ammunition, Possession of Cannabis (Marijuana) and Possession of Cannabis (marijuana) with intent to supply,” the release added.
Earlier today (Oct. 22), this media house was contacted by the senior Nital, who said he was the father of Chavez Nital and he was alerted that his son was arrested in Sandy Point.
He also said that he had called the Criminal Investigations Department to ascertain where his son was being held and was told it was at the Sandy Point Police Station.
During the brief telephone conversation, this writer explained to Nital that whatever he was alerted to or read on SKNVibes’ website concerning his son was provided by the police.
In response, he said: “His sisters and others from over the international arena called to ascertain what was going on, because this thing went global. So I called this morning to ask what he was charged for because there was conflicting information that I was seeing and what I was told at the Sandy Point Police Station.
“After seeing all that and reading it, I called back Sandy Point Police Station this morning and they said that he is yet to be charged. But yet your media house had publicised that he was charged for possession of gun, possession of ammunition, possession of drugs and possession of drugs with intent to supply. And that is corruption and the Force doesn’t operate like that!”
He further said that he was told by an officer at the Sandy Point Police Station that his son would only be charged for two offences - possession of an illegal firearm and possession of drugs - but there were four charges published by this media house.
This writer told Nital that a follow-up would be done since the matter was brought to SKNVibes’ attention, to which he responded: “But this doesn’t erase what was said you know! I am heading to a lawyer’s office…you don’t be too quick to put anything in the media without ascertaining the reality of it.”
Nital also stated that he would be going to the Attorney-General’s office to ask for “the resignation of the Officer-in-Charge and the person in charge of the area as well”.
It was explained to Nital that while this writer is in agreement that some incidents and issues are not to be published without ascertaining their authenticity, the issue concerning his son was of a different nature.
It was further explained that the Police Force is supposed to be a disciplined organisation mandated to serve and protect as well as to uphold the laws of the land without fear or favour, and it is not customary for media operatives to question the police on press releases they would have disseminate unless it is to gain certain information, such as to ascertain if an individual they had previously apprehended to assist in their investigation was charged or released after the stipulated 72-hour period.
In an effort to get the police’s response to Nital’s allegation, SKNVibes made numerous attempts to contact the Acting Commissioner but was told that he was overseas on police business. Attempts were also made to contact Assistant Commissioners Ian Queeley and Vaughan Henderson but they, too, were unavailable.
However, success was achieved in contacting the Commander of ‘B’ Division, Superintendent Cromwell Henry, who offered an explanation to what transpired yesterday.
“The gentlemen were still in custody at the time when the release was sent out; they had not been charged. The release was sent out prematurely but they were charged today on the same charges that were mentioned in the release yesterday.
“However, the police apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused by the early release of the information, but the contents of the press release sent out yesterday were accurate, save and except for the date when the men were charged.”
Below is the police press release disseminated yesterday to a number of media houses and individuals in the Federation.
CONTINUOUS POLICE OPERATIONS RESULTS IN SEIZURE OF 16TH ILLEGAL FIREARM TO DATE
Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 21, 2015 (RSCNPF): The total of illegal firearms seized by the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force to date has increased to sixteen (16) as a result of a successful search operation in the Sandy Point Police District early this morning.
According to Police records 12 illegal firearms were seized in 2014.
The operation carried out by the Special Services Unit with support from Officers of Division "B" netted the illegal firearm during the execution of a Search Warrant on a residence in Sandy Point occupied by Davereen Brownbill and Chavez Nital. During the search, one loaded 9 mm semi-automatic pistol and three (3) rounds of ammunition and a quantity of dried marijuana was found in the house.
Both men have been arrested and charged for the 1) Possession of an illegal firearm, 2) Possession of ammunition, 3) Possession of Cannabis ( Marijuana) and 4) Possession of Cannabis (marijuana) with intent to supply.
According to Division "B" Commander, Superintendent Cromwell Henry, “the operation was a part of the Police’s ongoing targeted and intelligence led operations, specifically geared towards the finding and seizure of illegal firearms and drugs.” The Divisional Commander continued, “I would like to thank the public for their continued cooperation and partnership as we continue the fight against crime.”
The significance of another illegal firearm seizure was highlighted by Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime Ian Queeley. “Our continued vigilance in the search for and removal of illegal firearms from our communities is critical. It is one of the elements and deliverables in our ‘Six Point Plan’ for the reduction of crime, the seriousness of this is underscored, when you consider that last night, a young man was shot and seriously injured in the Phillip’s area. We must rid our communities of these illegal firearms and it will take the assistance of our communities to do so,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Ian Queeley.
The Violent Crime Unit (VCU) has reported that sometime after 7.00 pm last night (Tuesday, October, 20), 21 year old Shakeem Mitchum- Cranston alias " Nozzle" formerly of College Street Ghaut was shot in Phillip’s Village. Initial reports indicate that Mitchum- Cranstoun was approached by three (3) persons in dark clothing while washing his hands at a stand pipe. The individuals had firearms in their hands and discharged the firearms in his direction hitting him several times. Police and medical services responded to the scene and the victim was taken to the Joseph N. France General Hospital where he was treated and is in critical but stable condition. The investigation is ongoing, and the public is asked to contact the police with any information they may have.
ACP Queeley continues his appeal to the public for information with regards to crime and said, “If you have seen something, if you have heard something as it relates to this or any violent crime, or any criminal activity, tell someone. Call the Basseterre or Charlestown Police Station or any police station with your information. You can also do so anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847 (TIPS),” he stressed.
