CoP: FULs to be issued after robust investigations

POLICE COMMISSIONER Erla Harewood-Christopher said while she is aware of the anxiety over the granting of firearm users' licences (FUL), she is concerned about the continued loss of life and will issue FULs after robust checks.

Harewood-Christopher made the comment two days after the Prime Minister announced one of the decisions out of a two-day symposium on regional crime solutions, held at the Hyatt on Monday and Tuesday, would be to ban assault weapons for citizens.

In a media release on Thursday, the top cop said she remains “very resolute” about reducing the high incidence of crime and violence in the country. She referred to a video made by political activist Kezel Jackson, who raised concern that FULs might not be granted going forward.

“The police have always maintained transparency with regard to the policy and procedures required to obtain an FUL. I can assure the public that the issuing of FULs will continue, the application process will remain very robust and will be performed with due diligence.”

In March, Christopher-Harewood suspended the FUL of an ex-UNC candidate and businessman, the day after a High Court judge ordered it returned to him.

FUL, No 91/2015 was temporarily suspended on March 16, and the CoP published a notice the next day saying the suspension was to “safeguard the safety of the public.”

Tristan Bonterre, a director of Property Secure Plus Company Ltd, was charged with common assault in October 2022 and his FUL was suspended. He applied for judicial review and on March 15 Justice Devindra Rampersad ordered it returned.