PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Three police officers have been suspended over their alleged failure to investigate a domestic violence report filed by teacher Abigail Jones-Chapman, who was among four people murdered in south Trinidad earlier this week.
A statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said that the officers, including a female police officer, were suspended with immediate effect while the investigation is being conducted by the Professional Standards Bureau.
The statement said that acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams had made the decision to suspend the officers after reviewing a complaint from Jones-Chapman’s family and the record from the La Brea Police Station.
Police are searching for the man responsible for the murders of 41-year-old Jones-Chapman, her 16-year-old daughter, Olivia, her 14-year-old friend Michaela Mason, and the 69 year-old landlord, Michael Scott.
Scott and Jones-Chapman were beaten to death, Olivia was beaten and stabbed and Michaela’s throat was slit.
Media reports said that a few days before the murders, Jones-Chapman had reported to the police that she was assaulted and threatened by the suspect, whom she had once shared a close relationship.
Her mother Christine Jones said the suspect, had also attacked her daughter with a knife. She said the police had told her daughter they were going arrest the suspect, but they never did.
The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) said while it had taken note of the position of the TTPS it is hoping that “the expeditiousness displayed by the Acting Police Commissioner will be emulated by officers who are expected to act in relation to reports, including those concerning domestic violence.” – CMC
