THE police high command has launched top level investigations into reports that the loaded 9mm service revolver of a police inspector was stolen from his house last week while he was asleep in his living room.

Reports reaching the Observer are that the inspector, who is attached to the Firearm and Coastal Security (FCS) division, reported to the Constant Spring police that when he woke up early last Friday morning he discovered the weapon missing.

The inspector, a former general secretary of the police federation, told investigators that last Thursday night he arrived home at his Hughenden, Kingston 20 address very tired and fell asleep in his living room chair. When he woke up at 3:00 am Friday the gun was missing.

He said he made a frantic search of his living room, and subsequently discovered that a section of the grille on his verandah was pried open.
This is the second such report within a month.

On February 1, a police sergeant attached to the Mounted Troop reported to the Portmore police that he retired to bed at his Portmore home, St Catherine and placed his loaded 9mm service pistol under his pillow. The sergeant said when he woke up at four the next morning. He gun was missing from under his pillow. The matter is still under investigation.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking senior officer at the commissioner's office who asked not to be identified, said Police Commissioner Hardley Lewin, was very concerned about the frequency of such reports.

"This is irresponsibility of the highest order on the part of those sub-officers. That's where we are attaching the blame on those policemen who say gun missing from home while they are asleep. A valid question (to ask) would be, were they permitted to take home the gun?" the high- ranking officer questioned.

The officer explained that if the investigations determine that the sub-officers are culpable, then they could face a major department charge which could result in dismissal if they are found guilty.
-TK Whyte

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