SEVERAL QUESTIONS SURROUND the murder of Detective Corporal Everton Dennis, who was murdered in Portmore, St. Catherine two weeks ago.
The 37-year-old sub-officer attached to the Caymanas Police Station, was sitting in his private motorcar along Hills Down Drive in Gregory Park, Portmore, when he was attacked by three gunmen. He was rushed to the Spanish Town hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Reports have surfaced that Det. Cpl. Dennis was being investigated by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), for his handling of a case on which he was the lead investigator. According to the OPR, he was being investigated for unprofessionalism. However, when Deputy Commisioner of Police, Lucius Thomas was contacted, he said that he had no knowledge of this investigation.
The investigation stems from his failure to arrest a suspect in a case of robbery and assault.Dennis was the lead investigator in the incident which occurred in May 2003, and seemed to be helping the complainant. However, the accused man, who it is alleged attempted to kill the complainant, was not arrested, even after a direct command that he be arrested came from the then head of St. Catherine South Division, Superintendent Glenford Hudson.
Credible leads
Two months later, the accused man was finally arrested, charged and brought before the court.
Meanwhile, the detective's behaviour in court further caused his character to be brought into question. According to Hugh Thompson, the attorney-at-law who represents the complainant, "Mr. Dennis who is supposed to be the lead investigator for the case, wound up testifying for the defence. That is very strange." Other allegations have surfaced that before Dennis was killed, he was allegedly socialising with the accused man.
Police say they are "following credible leads" into Dennis' murder. Currently investigations are focusing on his murder being linked to a case in which he was involved.
Shortly after his murder, colleagues at the Caymanas Police reminisced about the man they called "a friend". "He was assertive. He always ensured we were okay. If you were on the road with him he would put his life on the line for you even though you were his superior. He shared a good relationship with all of us," said a policeman who wished to not be identified.
