The Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF) has strongly refuted allegations made by former Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris, regarding the handling of the ongoing investigation into the homicide of Azziwah ‘Milk’ Niles-Jones. In a statement released over the weekend (19th October), the RSCNPF condemned the claims, asserting that they misrepresent the facts and undermine the efforts of the officers involved in the case and the Force as a whole.
Former Prime Minister Harris recently criticised the RSCNPF, accusing officers of neglecting the investigation and failing to maintain communication with the victim’s family. Niles-Jones was tragically gunned down a few weeks ago, on 20th August.
However, the Police Force has firmly denied these allegations, calling them “unfounded” and emphasising the harm that such accusations can cause.
“We must unequivocally condemn the accusations of neglect levelled against our officers by the former Prime Minister. These allegations not only misrepresent the facts but also undermine the dedicated efforts of our officers who tirelessly work to resolve cases and support affected families,” the press release states.
The Police have provided a detailed response to the claims, outlining the steps they have taken since the tragic incident. Investigating officers have maintained multiple lines of communication with the family of Mr. Niles-Jones, including home visits and individual discussions. Some of these meetings were rescheduled at the family’s request due to the emotional toll the homicide has taken on them, the Police revealed.
The RSCNPF emphasised that they are fully aware of the pain and distress the family is enduring and remain committed to ensuring that the family receives timely and accurate updates on the investigation.
“The well-being of victims’ families is a priority for our organisation, and we always do our best to ensure that they are supported through this difficult time,” the release informed.
The RSCNPF welcomes open dialogue and constructive criticism but warns against making claims that could cause further harm or detract from ongoing efforts to address crime and violence, the release underscored in conclusion.
Harris has shown particular interest in the case, as Niles-Jones was recently appointed as an official within his political party. His accusations come at a crucial time when stakeholders across the Federation are collaborating to tackle a surge in crime and violence, particularly incidents involving guns and gangs.
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