POLICE Commissioner, Leroy Brumell on Monday said that policemen who were part of the siege on Middle Street last month when berserk businessman, Deryck Kanhai opened deadly fire indiscriminately were not all dispatched from Police Force Headquarters.The Police Commissioner made the comment when asked why most of the policemen who were engaged in the intense gun battle on Middle Street were not wearing protective gear. The Top Cop said that many of the ranks were on the road performing other duties and were on their own business when they turned up at the Middle Street siege to support the work of other ranks.

According to Mr. Brumell, all ranks who were sent to the scene from the Force Headquarters were properly fitted with their safety gear and ready for combat. He said that there were ranks who were on their way home who showed up while others in their haste to get to the scene and assist in bringing the situation under control were the ones without the protective gear.
Asked whether the situation would be different should there be a similar encounter in the city or elsewhere, the Police Commissioner said that the matter is being addressed. He said that once ranks are on the ground, the necessary resources and equipment will be provided to them to aid in their work.
Brumell said that the issue of persons just rushing to the scene undocumented and having resources and materials issued to them on the ground without any proper form of accountability process is not necessarily going to be a priority for the force but the options are open and judgment will be exercised in cases like that.
On that fateful day on Middle Street, the miner who had gone berserk shot two civilians and two policemen before he also died from bullet wounds.