Minister of National Security Rayburn Blackmoore has expressed “shock, disappointment” and upset at the recent events surrounding the St. Joseph Police Station where several firearms and ammunition have gone missing.
The incident is said to have occurred on December 6, 2023.
A total of 9 guns were stolen from the St. Joseph Police Station according to Chief of Police Daniel Carbon. Three M-16 Rifles, one shotgun, two pistols, and three 7.5 Rifles along with a quantity of ammunition.
“Whereas I am in total support of the police, but when I got the report from the Chief of Police, I will not tell you what my response was,” an angry Blackmoore who is also a former Police Officer told a press briefing.
“There is absolutely, no reasonable excuse and or explanation for what transpired at the St. Joseph Police Station. This is a serious national issue and your government is treating it very seriously.”
He continued, “An investigating officer in the person of the head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) was assigned to investigate by the Chief of Police.”
“However, I believe that this matter is so urgent and serious that we have requested independent investigators through CARICOM Impact who will be in Dominica very shortly to investigate this matter and let the chips fall where they may. The police are charged with the protection of the state…I am very upset at this turn of events.”
This incident he disclosed, has happened at a time when “we just ended a gun amnesty programme in our fight to reed the streets of illegal firearms.”
He revealed that at the second gun amnesty that ended November 30, 2023, only three firearms were surrendered bringing the total to four in the two months firearm and ammunition amnesty offered by the government.
Blackmoore also revealed that the Ministry of National Security has significantly enhanced surveillance on the port and its ability to deter firearms and explosives. “We know and are aware, that the firearms are coming from a certain point of origin, we don’t manufacture firearms in Dominica so we are working with law enforcement agencies in the US to ensure that packages coming to Dominica are properly screened,” he remarked.
He also spoke of the installation of x-ray machines…a trained dog and more to assist in the detection of firearms, ammunition, and explosives but did not go into further details.
Also speaking at the press briefing was Police Chief Daniel Carbon who also expressed his “anger and disappointment” at the St. Joseph incident. “The police station should never be without a police officer…as a police officer you are trained to protect life and property, I have been looking at the matter and the possibility lies for disciplinary action and also criminal action,” he said.
It’s my hope after the Independent Investigators wrap up their investigations that The Minister of National security and the chief of police will be arrested for failing Dominica and the Police force