Police officer fired over Government Headquarters shooting

ZIZ News…July 7, 2010 – The Police Force has fired an officer after he falsely reported a shooting incident at government headquarters.

According to a police statement, on April 30, the officer on duty at Government Headquarters reported that two shots were fired at the building, which caused him to shoot a round from his service revolver in response.

However, there were holes in the story.

Witnesses reported only one shot fired…Only one bullet was recovered from the scene…And ballistic tests proved that that shot came from the officer’s weapon.

As a result of the investigation, the police charged the officer with making a false statement and discreditable conduct.

The officer, who has not been named, pleaded guilty to both charges and he was dismissed.

Acting Police Commissioner Stafford Liburd says this was a serious incident and the punishment was appropriate.

“The news items around several media houses were echoing that Government Headquarters was under attack. That signifies something of importance that requires in-depth investigation. Because to hear something like that, it really was touching the nerve of all security when the seat of parliament, the seat of government was allegedly being attacked.”

The Police High Command says it hopes that incidents of this nature will not recur and wishes to reinforce its zero tolerance on such acts of ill discipline which are unacceptable in the police force.