00:00Municipal Police Representative at the Police, Social and Welfare Association, Constable David McGurk,
00:07tells the TV6 Morning Edition that many officers are feeling deeply unsettled and distressed
00:13in the aftermath of the tragic incident at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station.
00:18He says, while the circumstances are under scrutiny, the actions of a few should not define the entire organization.
00:26However, officers have been painted with a broad brush, and it records throughout the whole service.
00:35And the officers are very demotivated at this time, because no one condones the act that was carried out.
00:45However, we have to deal with it and be accountable for what has happened,
00:51because we want to continue to remind the public and drive home the fact that they are not to lose
01:04the trust.
01:06McGurk adds that the situation has been both disheartening and traumatic for colleagues as well.
01:12This could have happened anyway. No one plans to come to work one day and have a colleague carry out
01:20such a grave act on one of their own.
01:24So, it's not a matter of the municipal police. Sadly, it happened within the municipal station.
01:30Meanwhile, President of the Association, ASP Ishmael Pitt, says,
01:34it is evident that there were failures in duty and accountability, which contributed to the circumstances surrounding the incident.
01:43We have recognized that, notwithstanding, that there are some areas that may not have been doing what they were supposed
01:50to do.
01:51ASP Pitt also touched on broader concerns surrounding the missing firearms and the ongoing efforts being undertaken in that regard.
01:59When it relates to firearms and the management of firearms, especially firearms belonging to law enforcement,
02:05you know, it's definitely a grave concern.
02:08You know, our objective is to ensure that the streets is eradicated of illegal firearms.
02:14And, you know, the mere fact or the idea of having to now treat firearms that even belong to the
02:21police entity
02:22is in itself, you know, something that no organization would want to have to face.
02:27Nicole M. Romany, TV6 News.
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