By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe urged the public not to presume guilt for police officers facing court proceedings in connection with killings.

He emphasised that their guilt or innocence will be determined through the judicial process, reminding people to respect the legal proceedings before drawing conclusions.

His comment came after 11 officers appeared in court for a committal hearing.

Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux summoned the group, but three failed to show up, prompting the coroner to issue arrest warrants.

Mr Munroe said the coroner had certain obligations under the Coroner’s Act, while the affected parties, such as the police officers and the deceased’s family members, have their rights.

He said ultimately, it’s up to the courts to decide their fate, and the “chips will fall where they may”.

“There are a number of officers who have been outrightly charged by the police for homicide in the Family Islands and a number here,” he said. “The law is the law. If there’s an allegation, it’s put before the court and the court determines it.”

“The one thing that the public should not do is equate the fact that this has happened to the fact of the guilt of these officers. That would be against the process.”

He said since police-involved killings prompted adverse inquest findings, he has received requests from some officers to be removed from the frontline.

He said he could not help them because he does not run the police force.

Attorney K Kelvin Munroe, who represents most officers in inquests, said last year that adverse inquest findings give the police force a “black eye” and lower morale.

However, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he didn’t believe police morale is being affected, insisting that officers remain focused.