Mr. Philip Williams
Three police officials, two of whom are former members of the Metropolitan Police in London, are in Anguilla reviewing four cases of murder this year which remain unsolved. They are working in cooperation with Mr. Paul Morrison, Commissioner, and other ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, and are taking into account the investigations previously made by the island’s law enforcement agency.
The visiting police review team comprises Mr. John McFarlane, an experienced Senior Investigating Officer; Mr. Philip Williams, an Investigator and an Expert in the running and management of
Three police officials, two of whom are former members of the Metropolitan Police in London, are in Anguilla reviewing four cases of murder this year which remain unsolved. They are working in cooperation with Mr. Paul Morrison, Commissioner, and other ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, and are taking into account the investigations previously made by the island’s law enforcement agency.
The visiting police review team comprises Mr. John McFarlane, an experienced Senior Investigating Officer; Mr. Philip Williams, an Investigator and an Expert in the running and management of serious crimes investigations; and Mr. Barrie Warburton who previously worked in the Caribbean area as a Forensic and Crimes Scene Expert. Their ten-day mission is from November 30 to December 11.
Commenting on the work of the police review team in relation to the unsolved murder cases, Commissioner Morrison said: “Hopefully, they will be able to generate new lines of inquiry and perhaps suspects. That would be fantastic. They will also help us interview some witnesses.” He explained that, generally, from the review we would also “get an assessment of our investigative capabilities; how good are we in investigating serious crime from the response all the way through the investigation and forensics. Once we know how good we are, we will know if we need to improve and in which areas to do so.”
Mr. John Mc Farlane, leader of the review team, told The Anguillian: “We have come to Anguilla to assist the police with the murders this year, to bring a bit of expertise from the UK, and to hopefully help them bring out some of the good work that they have done; and enable the police to bring the killers before the courts to get justice for the people who have been killed.
“It is quite unusual for Anguilla to have this number of shootings and killings. We are here to help the police and the police need the help of the Anguillian community. They cannot do their jobs without the community helping them. That is really important. We have only been here a short time. This is a very small, close-knit community and it is important that we work together to get this [type of crime] stopped. It is really very important that the community works with the police. By doing so they are actually helping themselves. By taking [the criminals] to court, having them prosecuted, and having them imprisoned will stop future shootings.”
Asked whether he could say in what manner his team would conduct their investigations, he replied: “We will be looking at what the police have carried out; and identifying evidential opportunities and further lines of inquiry which will help the police to develop their cases, and to get those who are responsible [for the murders].”
