Deputy Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph has made it clear that no radio station here has any influence on the police force.
On Monday, attorney Grant Connell, while representing Candace John, a woman who pleaded guilty to ill-treating her two-year-old daughter, told the Court, “A particular radio station seemingly has more influence on the police force.”
Connell made the statement, as he raised concerns about the way in which one radio station here, which he did not call by name, was reporting on the case.
“It was brought to my attention, and it is extremely sad how they delve into this case”, Connell said without detailing what he was speaking about.
But when contacted on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner told THE VINCENTIAN, “I want to state emphatically that there is no radio station in St. Vincent and the Grenadines that has any influence on the police. There is absolutely no truth whatsoever in that.”
Joseph said he would like to know what radio station Connell was referencing as the police does programmes on various radio stations, including the Monday night ‘Police on the Beat’ programme on NBC radio, and the Thursday morning ‘Cop Chat’ programme on We FM.
Candace John, 26, of Vermont, was charged with that on January 20, 2024, at Vermont, having the charge or care of a juvenile did willfully ill-treat that juvenile in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering.
In response to Connell’s comments about the media, Senior Magistrate Colin John said that responsible journalists will know how and what to report.