PHILIPSBURG--Members of the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) want “someone’s head to roll” for the death of bike patrol Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin, who died three days after being shot at the scene of an armed robbery on Front Street on Wednesday, August 5.
The union said “totally distraught” members of the Police Force had approached the WICSU/PSU executive board in the past days and believed “something has to be done and someone’s head has to roll, because responsibility has to be assumed by those in charge.”
The union said that while elected and appointed officials had made some “rushed statements” after the incident, these issues had been “right under their noses all along.”
WICSU/PSU members, the union said, were heartened by the outpouring of concern shown by “the leaders” of the country, but still wonder where these officials were when the crime was taking place all along. The union said in a press release that its members believed the suggestions and measures being taken now could have been taken “a long time ago.”
WICSU/PSU’s Executive Board posed a number of questions to authorities on the subject of crime. These include:
Why were none of the measures being mentioned now not executed before?
Would things have gone on the same way if an officer had not been murdered?
Why is it that only now the officials charged with leading this country know what the problem is and have all the ideas in the world as to how to fix it?
Why did it not bother our leaders and the ones responsible for their wellbeing before, as they all knew a long time ago that the Police Force was short-staffed and officers were vulnerable to attacks whether they were off or on the job; that they were not being treated fairly as far as their promotions, etc. were concerned; riding around protecting the town and people without any protective gear for their bodies; giving their all while receiving little in return?
Why does it seem as if everyone is so complacent when they are sitting in the seat of the elected or the appointed, instead of doing what they were elected or appointed to do?
What do the workers have to do to get the attention of their superiors when they try to bring across a point about how things can be better for them to execute their tasks in a much safer way?
Why is it that quite a number of the decision-makers running the country, whether as Ministers or Parliamentarians, seem to be clueless and out of touch on how things actually are in the workforce, and why are they all pretending to know, while they actually have no clue?
Were they were all waiting for a day like this to come for them to ride in like knights in shining armour and try to save what is left of the day by shouting what all will be done after the fact?
The union said “it is indeed a very sad day” when officials only react after a tragic incident has occurred and do not take measures to prevent it from occurring.
The union said it intended to continue working closely with the other unions that represent civil servants, especially those falling under the Justice system, to ensure safety for members and their colleagues.
WICSU/PSU said it was aware that along with the Police Force, the plight of workers in other departments such as the prison, Immigration, Customs and Coast Guard also seemed to be “falling on deaf ears.”
The union “demanded” that Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, his cabinet and staff, prioritise making workers “totally safe” when executing their tasks. “Workers need to be safe in all areas at all times and a greater effort has to be made in order to ensure that occurrences such as this recent one do not have much chance of being repeated,” it said.
The union “strongly condemned” the “senseless” murder of Benjamin during the execution of his duties and extended condolences to the officer’s family, especially to his father Gilbert Benjamin, who is also a member of WICSU/PSU, his wife and their five-year-old son.
“Officer Benjamin was an exemplary officer whose way of handling has left its mark on many individuals, including his colleagues who are now devastated not only by his loss, but the way in which he was taken from among their midst. Much strength is wished to them as well,” the union said.
The board encouraged members of the Police Force not to lose faith, saying, “Even though it may seem as a thankless job, there are many out there who are depending on you with all their hearts and souls and you must not let them or yourself down. What happened is indeed very unfortunate and must never be forgotten.”
