Police admit evidence taken in lock-up break-in
George Town Police Station evidence lock-up
(CNS): Drugs and other evidence were stolen from the police lock-up outside the George Town Police Station in July. Police reported that thieves broke into the locked container in the station yard but at the time the RCIPS management denied that the culprits had actually got into the container or removed items. Sources told CNS that both drugs and jewellery had been taken and asked the RCIPS for details but they denied anything was missing. However, last week the police said they “uncovered that some items in the container, including drugs, were taken”.
An RCIPS spokesperson confirmed that an investigation into what was originally described as an attempted break-in was underway and that the burglars had compromised the evidence locker. It is not clear when the police discovered that anything was missing or why they had denied that the thieves had breached the container at the police station.
Related article: Burglars target cops lock-up in failed break-in
The RCIPS said that they were now looking into how evidence is stored.
“In addition to pursuing the culprits of this break-in and theft, we are reviewing internal controls and procedures with respect to the handling and storage of evidence and the actions of those responsible for following them,” a spokesperson for the police said. “This is an active and sensitive investigation and we cannot release further information at this time.”
does this mean that the evidence collected for cases that the persons go free since they cannot produce the evidence?
Not to be a pain, but I told you so.
This is only one small part of the lies that have been told to the Cayman Islands.
No doubt [they] will be pushing the blame on someone else’s shoulders and not taking any themselves.
Just like the drug boats and engines that kept getting repeatedly stolen, even after they were begged to do something and even given options.
One question though, if the haven lied about this issue, then it begs the questions of ” what else have they lied about”.
Credibility is one thing they can not afford to lose and this issue has made them lose it.
Wake up people, demand a change. If not then you will lose.
Legalize, tax, and control all drugs.
The amount of money to be made in the illegal drug business is staggering; therefore, the associated corruption affects all levels of government from the very low to the very high.
A $10,000.00 bribe for “looking the other way” is pocket change for the drug lords.
This is an outrage. The COP is touting and promoting soft drug use as he would like the below standard Officers he has that are at some level responsible for this to exersise judgement in fining and or warning soft drug users. They are a champion of exuses the RCIP and clearly corruption exisists as it seems near impossible to get onto the police compound cut locks and open an older container and make away the loot with guard’s police and cameras. This contents is what served justice and just leaving this in a container is a break in the chain of custody. How many times has this happened that we are not aware. Then the continued hiring and contracting with our merit the same Security firm over and over with underperforming results. What else is there of more importance them evidence for criminal cases. Out of the nearly 400 police officers you have to hire a private company? Poor work by the Police and it speaks volumes towards their competence and casts shadow on their honesty curruptibilty and integrity. Shame on them
What I can’t understand is this is the same security company that was hired at Fairbanks and that the cubans escaped. What I also can’t understand is how come no one seen this come up for bid???? Is it again the you know who type of attitude? Immigration, FairBanks, Glass House to name a few, no bid made and this “particular security company” does not have the best tract record in CCTV either
Liars, that is what they are. One of the major reasons Cayman is in the position it is in is because our police force are not accountable and they are not beholden to the people of the Cayman Islands. What an untenable and horrible situation for this country to be in. It is time for us to tackle the hard question of independence.
The irony of wanting independence on the basis of crime reduction is delightful. Idiocy of the highest order.
It is not only on the basis of crime reduction, that is but one facet of a burgeoning and untenable situation the Cayman Islands are in. Call me an idiot if you wish for trying to broach the subject, but a continuation of the status quo is completely unacceptable. We have people in positions of power in Cayman who give good reason for dire concern when it comes to the issue of frying pan to fire regarding the question of independence for the Cayman Islands. That does not change the fact that a police force which is not fully beholden to and controlled by the people of the Cayman Islands above all else is unacceptable. What I find idiotic is to continue on the current track and expect anything different. Those who the Cayman Islands are supposed to be dependent on have failed the Cayman Islands and only wish to further their own agenda at the expense of the Cayman Islands. The issues regarding those who make up the vast majority of the RCIPS are directly and inextricably linked to the quality, accountability and veracity and the lack thereof of not only policing but of all aspects of life in the Cayman Islands. Although fraught with many problems and dangers from both internal and external sources, the question of independence of the Cayman Islands is one that can no longer be ignored.
A lot of puff, not much sense. Are you modelling your rhetoric style on Mac?
No, I do not. I consider McKeeva to be one of those who has to be permanently disallowed from creating further damage and also held fully to account before an independent Cayman Islands could succeed. He is the main source of internal problems and dangers which Cayman faces. I do think that he serves a purpose for those who wish to retain the status quo not for the good of the Cayman Islands as a whole but for their own purposes. Individuals and entities such as McKeeva are without doubt the “fire” in the question of “from frying pan to fire” as it relates to the subject at hand. The Cayman Islands are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to this. The question of independence for the Cayman Islands is one that has to enter the realm of national discourse. What is going on in Cayman is untenable and these things have to be tackled head on.
You may not have a choice.
You may be right in more ways than one, not all of which suit your agenda.
Independence worked out well for the Bahamas and Jamaica when it came to reducing crime.
I agree with your sentiments about the Police. I have the same sentiments about our politicians and those holding high positions in the civil service. However, being a realist, I do not agree with your independence ideal – it would do us no favors only allow our corrupt politicians and police to get even more corrupt, without any fear of consequences from the UK. Independence in Cayman would be akin to suicide.
The reality is that my response to the first reply was disregarded by the editor. I am not allowed to tackle and/or expose what I know to be the facts and/or backup what I say. It is indicative of what the problem is in Cayman. There are those who do not want the truth of the matter to be revealed because it does not fit their agenda. None of this will change if the status quo remains. It is going to get a whole lot worse for all involved.
CNS: I do not remember if I deleted or redacted any comment of yours but please note that while you hide behind your anonymous persona, we are open to legal action. You may know them to be facts (or think you do) but that won’t help us much in a court of law. Criticisms of this nature from the ‘courageously anonymous’ are very irritating and I generally just delete them.
I have in the past posted under my own name and I have been willing to pay the price for it. I have been advised since then that what I say will not be taken on it’s face value but misconstrued due to who I am and the real message lost in the fray. The response which I wrote disappeared from the “awaiting moderation” mode and then reappeared on my screen. I understand that you are open to legal action and I respect your position and the consequences involved. Regardless of the fact that a lot that should be said but is left unsaid and/or unpublished because some very guilty people are allowed to hide behind these anti defamation laws simply due to their ability to retain a lawyer while others are not, it was my mistake and for that I apologize. I will reconsider putting my own name to what I write in the future. Although I have paid a heavy price for doing so already, I think that you were justified in what you have stated. Speaking out publicly in Cayman is not without consequence, and there are those with the undeserved ability to destroy one and one’s livelihood/future, intimidate one and one’s family and that underhanded victimization is very common and not to be taken lightly. I have personal experience in this regard. It is something that we all have to consider when tackling the myriad issues affecting the Cayman Islands if one wishes to make any tangible effect. The ratio of anonymous posts to signed posts on CNS is a good example of this. Respect due though for my incorrect assumption.
CNS: All the reasons above are why we allow anonymous comments and I believe it has enabled many conversations in the Cayman Islands to progress and given many people, including civil servants, a voice where they had none. Of that I am proud. However, people forget that Wendy and I (Nicky) do not have the protections that we give our readers and are subject to exactly the same consequences as anyone else. I feel the need to remind people sometimes.
My apology to the editor, I guess I jumped the gun on that one. I am very used to my responses not being published. Mea culpa.
Imagine that, the police telling lies! It makes you wonder if their court testimony might sometimes follow the same pattern.
Keystone cops in the news again. They out to be running their operation out of a big tent, since that would be more appropriate for the way they operate. Surely they have the budget to construct or import a proper evidence safe. Instead they opt for a solution equivalent to many rolls of duct tape. Then again, duct tape might have done a better job securing the evidence. They are well deserving of the fallout that comes from this.
The only “fallout” will be another increase of the annual budget.
Don’t stop the carnival……
What quantities of what drugs exactly?
Enough for the retail prices to have gone down already.
I don’t like the lying part or change of story. As we all know that a liar is a thief also most of the time. What’s bothering me is that we are supposed to believe this nonsense. Broken into your own yard ? It’s high time for an independent investigation. Scotland yard maybe ? I mean a total investigation of All? This may solve a few other crimes. Just saying !
Agreed but not Scotland Yard. Do we not remember the last and still ongoing fiasco?
Now you know they are official liars and you put your faith in them? Lol
This is poor. One I would like to know is if same company is still contracted. Why? Two if there were Cctv did the same company provide this ? Three why if they are ineffective still there? Can CNS investigate this?
Maybe it’s how clever the criminals are getting. They get caught for a crime and bailed, then they steal what evidence the people have against them. Without that evidence the crown has to dismiss the case and they walk…… Sound like what happened C.O.P.???
Yes Cayman the truth is out….
Never has this police service been run so poorly but under this UK & Jamaican hoard that’s for sure.
Let me just repeat the same shit I repeat every time I hear this. What you get in Cayman is NOT UK policing. If you had real UK policing, including the same training, policies and procedures that the UK cops get, you wouldn’t have all these evidential and gang crime problems. What you have in Cayman is petty crime compared to the organised crime we have in the UK, and in the UK, our police are not scared to go into a dangerous situation with just a baton, and would not cry out for guns or call the armed unit for every little incident. Furthermore when you give a statement in the UK and it is read back to you – you get back what you said.
Cayman police (whether Caymanian, Brits, Jamaican or Bajan) would rather run in the opposite direction and couldn’t write an accurate report or witness statement if their lives depended on it.
I have witnessed many police, but Cayman’s are by far the most ‘bent’.
oh wow didn’t know you could use that word in commentary! in that case that’s bullshit! RCIP we expect better!
They cant admit that but sending people to jail for life
Embarrassing. The headline should say “main police station burglarized.” How can this be possible? Baines lurches from one fiasco to the next.
How would thieves know there was anything in the container?… unless someone told them what it contained…after all it is a risky business breaking in to Police stations and not something contemplated by your average burglar, unless they were targeting something very valuable and considered the proceeds out weighed the risks!
Perhaps the Police should examine themselves first in this investigation, because something is not quite right here….. any new Mercs in the Police yard?
bingo!!!
Baines boss is hiding behind his shadow. Can she crack a joke on this fiasco or a lecture at the law school? The country must be told the truth or else they are all lying.
This story just stinks of something underhand
Next excuse they need a new police station??? in even more remote location?
Once again i would like to thank CNS for uncovering the truth when those responsible for upholding it, are so dishonest. From July 13 2015 they knew but in order to protect their incompetent and inept XXXXX leadership.The Poleeese chose yet again tell the public another bunch of lies.Can’t say i am at all surprise though looking at the leadership running this little island. Trust and confidence will never be restored to the RCIPS and that is exactly just how some want it. My only question is which friend or associate had his evidence destroyed???? obviously he knew exactly where to find it!
Sooo does this now mean that ALL evidence related to every ongoing investigation prior to the break-in has now been compromised??
Is the jewelry on the market? I bet that done reach.
Did they also leave a large magnet by the video tape evidence?
Ok. The Government has money for all sorts of stuff. They are paying for private security year after year which amounts to 100’s of thousands of dollars but they cannot see the importance to constructing a safe room for evidence that is used to deliver justice to the jurisdiction. The amount saved by building a safe room opposed to lining the coffers to a reapeatdly in question private security business is a huge question that demands an answer on top of how did this physically take place undetected. This police service with the crime a junk container being used to store evidence a private company watching it in a police station along with having a man hired as a swat team member that had a murder charge that was not answered is pathetic
Ok, let me get this straight……….the day after someone “tampered” with the locks on these containers, nothing had been stolen from within?
Now today 2 months later some of the evidence that was stored inside is missing?……………….and the police are saying that the same unsuccessful thieves stole it and they were just joking (lying) when they said before that nothing was stolen?
Come on Baines! Pull my finger again.
Just wondering if any of those marked evidence packets of weed have shown up at Her Majesty’s Prison in the last few months?
So many questions…………so few answers!
I am starting to wish that a Caymanian was in charge of RCIPS………… just so that someone could get fired.
True. And so the cycle never ends…..
HM Prison? Personally I’d like search warrants to go into all of the RCIPS homes.
could you imagine!!!
or hired..lmfao!!
Use images from your CCTV dear David.
These Cctv that are installed mostly around here only pick up outlines of black blobs……….it is rarely ever a clear image of anything. This is the same quality as the guard used to watch over it provided more then likely by the same company.
And all these people in our court system who were being charged with said evidence are pissing their pants with laughter and the majority of not all will now get off correct?
They have never stopped laughing 1057am
I understand they may not have known if anything was missing but they need to explain their denial that thieves accessed container. Our judicial system relies on the integrity of our police.
Absolutely sounds like an inside job to me. Just saying, but how else could this have happened?