SSU officer accused of incest, rape of 8-year-old

A police officer, suspected of rape and incest, is on the run from the law. The corporal, who is attached to Special Services Unit (SSU) of the police force, could not be located last week, when he was being sought by his law enforcement colleagues for questioning.{{more}}

SEARCHLIGHT has been reliably informed that during the last week of January, the man’s eight-year-old daughter was admitted to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, complaining of abdominal pains.

After being examined by doctors, tests performed on the child indicated that she had been infected with gonhorrea, a sexually transmitted infection. According to our source, when questioned, the girl told medical personnel that her father was the person who had abused her.

According to our source, the police were immediately contacted by the social worker at the MCMH, but no action was taken to bring the officer in for questioning until the middle of last week.

By this time, SEARCHLIGHT understands, the man, who has two other daughters, had left the state.

Questions are now being asked how was the police corporal able to leave the state, when officers under the rank of sergeant, must obtain written permission from the Commissioner of Police, to present to Immigration officials at the port of exit.

When contacted by SEARCHLIGHT on Wednesday, officer in charge of the Police Public Relations and Complaints Department, Assistant Superintendant of Police Jonathan Nicholls said that he was not in a position to comment on the length of time it had taken for the police to act, as he himself had only been made aware of the case “a few days ago”.

He, however, confirmed that the matter was being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF).

“A crime is a crime, whether it is committed by police or civilian. Once it is brought to our attention, we take the necessary action,” Nicholls said.

“We do not condone crimes committed by our members. We take action, as we have in the past. We, our entire leadership, take these matters very seriously,” he said.

One police official, however, told SEARCHLIGHT that since the immigration department was separated from the police department, many of the immigration officers do not know the police officers, especially the younger ones. The officer also noted that a person’s occupation is not stated in the St Vincent and the Grenadines passport. One’s occupation must, however, be indicated on the immigration form.

It is believed that the corporal is now in the United States.