Two taken into custody in death of Picard man

breaking newsTwo police officers have been taken into custody as investigations into the death of a man in a Portsmouth cell continue, DNO has been reliably informed.

Sources told DNO the two were taken into custody on Thursday.

Joshua Etienne’s “seemingly lifeless” body was found in his cell at the Portsmouth Police Station where he was being held at around 5:00 am on August 5, according to the police.

He was pronounced dead by a district medical officer.

Police PRO, Superintendent Claude Weekes, did not confirm the arrests but told DNO that the investigation into the matter is “well on its way.”

He said the investigation will continue in a manner that is fair, professional and impartial.

Weekes did confirm what the sources had told DNO, that the autopsy on Etienne’s body was performed on Thursday.

Sources have revealed the results of the autopsy. However, because of the sensitivity of the matter and since the investigation is still in its early stages and Weekes has not confirmed them, DNO took the decision not to publish the results.

Etienne was arrested on August 4, at around 9:30 pm in Glanvillia for the alleged possession of ammunition.

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55 Comments

  1. September 2, 2014

    No LAW ,NO CONSTITUTION .Remember ?GOD have mercy on us Dominicans .

  2. August 11, 2014

    time has spokeing again i can remember some years ago some police men kill are man from Mahaut and were set free and one of the ex cop is a juge from Mahaut and the nexone is a forma dpp.

  3. tell
    August 9, 2014

    @ex you did nt made it to this level so don’t criticise. If you don’t have anything good to say let it be.

  4. blackman NET
    August 8, 2014

    Many Police officers treat people this way criminals or not. Some people are stronger than others and this is not the first time police have brutally beaten up people………This is a eye opener to the public the types of atrocities upon people. Are these people their children for them to be beaten so badly……I hope the family sues them and they get the maximum penalty as this is very serious……this is Murder not Homicide…….and the police knows this man
    too well…….Peace

  5. August 8, 2014

    Nothing is gonna come out of this.Dominica is to corrupt.

  6. August 8, 2014

    There is a typo above. “Deplore? and not deploy.

  7. August 8, 2014

    Mr. Commissioner well said and perfectly done .I personally don’t wish to be in your seat at this time having to deal with this problem which could be avoided in the force. what they got themselves into was wrong and I also think that they should pay.

  8. Watching
    August 8, 2014

    Let he without sin cast the first stone… Police are human beings too. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God in one way or the other.

    • derp
      August 8, 2014

      so what does that have to do with anything.. justice is justice, doesn’t the Bible say he who kills ought to die also… #justice

    • August 29, 2014

      I guess that only goes for some cops……don’t be byass

  9. anonymous
    August 8, 2014

    The state should be sued. The family he left behind should be properly compensated. Its time people pay for their crimes.

  10. phillip phelp
    August 8, 2014

    I know that would happen at portsmouth to many long shift and not enough rest for the officers. Is time for the chief to step down he cannot manage and is too involve in the officers personnal affairs

    • August 29, 2014

      true…..he takes thing too damn personal

  11. real possie
    August 8, 2014

    Now I can speak on this matter cause it seems like all points are that they beat the guy, but I said before until the Gov. pays a huge sum of money they will never see it fit to change the old ways. This is no different as to the case with the EX DPP for three years you could not bring the guy to court but you will re-file the case for what with same old evidence? until they respect people rights things like this will never stop getting info from beating people is not right that tainted confession, but knowing DA this will just come to pass.

  12. August 8, 2014

    soon they going to try a cover up… major drug bust in some community to get our minds off the fact that the man was beaten to death by their hands..just wait and see.

  13. Ferbrese
    August 8, 2014

    i told you guys many more police will be arrested soon, didnt i? there are more to be arrested soon

    • secret service
      August 8, 2014

      I would shake your hand on that one. I know one they should have had already but he shifty. He moving through all the drug dens like he own them. One day… Ta toe Ta toe

      • Shameless
        August 10, 2014

        :twisted: Give a hint or call the Comissioner so he too can be investigated and face justice if found to be criminal hiding behind the badge.

        Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  14. August 8, 2014

    We want no justice sham in such a serious case,what ever this young man did he was someone’s child,brother,sister,uncle,cousin ,father, etc….we dominican’s especially this young man’s family are looking forward for good,honest justice,,,this dirty stone should never be left unturned ,make us see the light through this dark tunel because if we are not allowed to see this light we are all doomed in the near future by police brutality and police brutality should never be allowed any where at all ,,,we are not living in the days where a police had the right to kill and bit you for your own locks on your head,,this needs to be stopped immediately ,police should be good people that are ready to protect it’s citizens…not criminals looking for criminals and committing bigger crimes than the small criminals ;this is equal to a land of the wild wild west…
    find the culprits and make them an example to the society.the family should take the gov’t to court in order to get a partial closure for the death of this young man.never give up and dominicans support this family we are all concerned in this matter.

  15. grell
    August 8, 2014

    nothing is going to come out of this killing,dominica is a corrupt state,custody just for show,no justice for this young man.

    • secret service
      August 8, 2014

      Waiting to see what the dpp will say. Murderers going free but she filing again on Mr. Wiltshire and them

  16. Shameless
    August 8, 2014

    When leaders of nations foolishly proclaim that no law or constitution will prevent them from committing crimes against the people of the state, this is “open season” for those who would enforce the laws to disregard the very laws. A fish does NOT rotten from the tail up but rather from the head down.

    Having said this, I am NOT blaming the PM for this heinous crime but leadership has to to be held accountable in every aspect of society by creating an environment that is reflective of such process.

    The Police Force has been on a downward slide for a long time now with no end in site. I have said it before and will say it again “A Commission Of Inquiry IS Urgently Needed In The Operations Of The Force”. The leadership is filled with POLITICIANS and not police officers. Promotion is based on political affiliation and NOT on merit.

    Case in point; There is one officer working in traffic who holds two degrees (Management- UWI and Engineering- USA). He is the ONLY one in island with a specialty that is imperative to the force. Yet still he is stuck as a corporal because of jealousy and because he does not show political affiliation. The man owns his own business and is doing quite well (in my opinion at least). Now tell me why this man is not higher in the high rackie of the force.

    The police force need better management from QUALIFIED people. A few years ago, police officers were being encouraged to undertake graduate courses and many did but a closer look within will reveal sheer disdain towards those who took the challenge and educated themselves. In other words, they are being suppressed by those in garbadine with NO formal education.

    My whole point here is that the police command structure needs better heads in order to move the force forward. Only teamwork will fix the force and its ills. Sadly, Commissioner Carbon is an investigator and NOT a manager so he himself has no sense of direction. Human resource management is not left right, left right, left or reading someone their caution. Hobbs may have his flaws but the post of commissioner belongs to him. He is now serving as a moo moo regardless of his rank.

    Until a commission of inquiry is conducted and the recommendations implemented we will continue to see the force as a headless organization filled with politicians, criminals and friends of politician. According to my grand mother; “The blind cannot lead the blind to the promise land.”

    Now who vex get lost but Mr. Etienne needs justice and the command structure at the Ports Mouth Police Station (Superintendent to Corporal) should be put on immediate leave and investigated and all the rest of the officers currently serving there be IMMEDIATELY transferred to guarantee and clean investigation. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

    • Peace
      August 8, 2014

      I was taking you serious until I read: “Now tell me why this man is not higher in the high rackie of the force.” High rackie??

    • king kong
      August 8, 2014

      Thats a whole pile of rubbish sorry the readers was not expecting any anansi story.”

  17. shaka zulu
    August 7, 2014

    It is not the first time it has happened. The only problem is this time it happened in the station while in custody. My guess is coroner’s inquest indicated real cause of death and there is no way of explaining. Had it happened out of station it would be easy to deny knowing anything. Some people going to jail and a few others will either loose their jobs or be demoted. Where was the Sargent in charge of the station? Who is guarding the guards?
    In the past few years we hear law suit against police, police giving their friends firearms, police in porn, police robbing 7-eleven, police stealing money from dead people and airport, and now this. There is a systematic problem of lack of decipline in the force and too much political influence and manipulation. The commissioner and deputy need to get their act together. It starts from the top. We know a society is failing when institution such as our police force has lost the integrity and principles that are fundamental to its operations. Your level of discipline is a shame and desreputable.

  18. Rabbit
    August 7, 2014

    Jesus is coming? From where?

  19. Lord, hear our cry
    August 7, 2014

    My guess is, let’s kill him so he doesn’t get a chance to testify against us or our friends. It sure reminds me of the GON Emmanuel Christmas Day fire bombing. I guess the servants have taken a page from their master.

  20. August 7, 2014

    Dejavu : Remember Johnrose Linsday from Mahaut ?

  21. August 7, 2014

    rejoice not on others mishaps…..yours that police woman just took the bend…..prayers,prayers and more prayers….I remembered u that police woman…..more to come….

  22. julian
    August 7, 2014

    come to gether as one and stop hurting and spoil the good name off sweet dominica….read our mational anthem it will tell u more

  23. Eyeballs
    August 7, 2014

    Police stealing , police killing….don’t they protect anymore?

    • Dread
      August 9, 2014

      is it only police? what about pastors, teachers, nurses, priests, parros and the hypocrites like you?

  24. Unfortunate
    August 7, 2014

    The results of the autopsy will not be revealed simply because the result is the obvious. I hope that the family of the deceased get the answers to the mysterious death of the beloved, in the hands of the DOMINICA LAW. He did not die from sleeping on the cold concrete. Police brutality me say and this has to stop in this lawless country we call DOMINICA. No matter what crime the individual did or who the criminal is by NO RIGHT SHOULD POLICE LAY HANDS OR FEET OR BATONS OR ROPES OR WIRES OR GUN HANDLES OR STICKS OR STONES OR IRONS ON the imprisoned. And this is an issue that has been allowed to go to far in this country. All because the police lie and the bigger bigger bosses in the force cover up for those at fault for assaulting people in their custody. I have witnessed in plain sight police brutality to a family member and I have witnessed this brutality being swept under the carpet by those in higher places. It is just unfortunate that the young man had to loose his life and I PRAY that these people pay for what they did.

  25. nana boyd
    August 7, 2014

    look bowdel pleanty bowdel

  26. LandFish
    August 7, 2014

    I am happy to see that steps are being taken to prevent crime, both by police officers and civilian criminals. Hope it’s not going to get stuck in the investigation stages but move swiftly and let justice is served

  27. August 7, 2014

    Hmmmm look trouble in dat place they calling da

  28. fatboy
    August 7, 2014

    if them police doe doin they work oh all u find all u doe get good justic. link me i ha 4 lucian there to give all u d justic all u need . small money .

    • Righteous
      August 8, 2014

      @Fatboy. You little ignorant punk. Do you realize that this board is not anonymous regardless of the names that we use on here. News flash, the long arm of the law will catch up to you if indeed that is how you live. Whether this is an idle threat or a real threat, from what I gather by your statement, you have basically made an offer for “murder for hire.”

      Let the justice system run its course. In general as a society we are always quick to chastise the police force most time for doing their jobs. How about giving the investigating officers their props for making a quick arrest based on their preliminary investigations. Hopefully as one of my Calypso Boy said, “If these crooks don’t like the job, tell them to put done the Government Boots.” We have some good officers and it it said that we always judge the entire force by the actions of a few rouge ones.

      One Love Dominicans!!!!

      • tor
        August 8, 2014

        ha ha Dominica that there if you really want to commit a crime many ways of hiding your identity especially if you use anonymous methods commonly known…. such as accessing dno through the darknet

    • ???
      August 8, 2014

      what is “doe”????

  29. Ce Sa
    August 7, 2014

    John 3:16 Dominicans, John 3:16, get ready Jesus is coming again that’s all I have to say.

    • Lang Mama
      August 8, 2014

      Tell Jesus when he coming bring me a Samsung Galaxy 5 and if they have any spare lap tops that Moses don’t need tell Moses set up a brother living in hell aka Dominica.

      • secret service
        August 8, 2014

        You know that’s wrong. Don’t make a mockery of God

      • The Facts
        August 8, 2014

        What blasphemy! You cannot be a Christian. You will pay for this. As Our Lord said, “On the day of judgment, every careless word people speak they will render an account and be punished. By your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.” Judgment commences from the day/time of death. There will be no turning back to make amends to God.

    • August 8, 2014

      Like UWP is coming? Yes they came but only 4 1/2 yrs it was quick /brief like a premature political org. lol!

  30. mr p
    August 7, 2014

    Police brutally should not be allowed

  31. lin
    August 7, 2014

    wicks is pro again,look jokes

  32. August 7, 2014

    That’s just too bad.

  33. ex-police.
    August 7, 2014

    waw! what a shame on this police force that some of us use to be proud of. dam shame

    • August 8, 2014

      So sad, but true.A broken leadership leads to a failure.Was a great place to work.What a shame.

  34. bout time
    August 7, 2014

    honestly i thought this wouls be swept under the rug,glad to see some justice mite be served.

  35. Anonymous
    August 7, 2014

    Ah mag way sa somebody have to pay for, to the family of Joshua especially maria Etienne, I pray that u guys hold strong n u all r in my prayers,

  36. Anonymous
    August 7, 2014

    Oh brother! What is going on in this country? These police officers trying to prove something man? I hope justice is served for this man n his family…

    • Anonymous
      August 7, 2014

      What justice? The justice would have been when Joshua Ettienne went before the courts to answer the charges against him. Right now he is dead, He was not given a chance.

      • August 8, 2014

        The comment by the Police Chief was so inappropriate at the inception of the investigation. It should come when the investigation is completed and the outcome of the prosecution is known. His choice of words were very poor at best. The Officers are charged and sentenced by their own Commissioner of Police before the investigations is completed is an ab oration.. He needs to learn to be more diplomatic with his response in matters like this. The Police Officer could have over reacted in their quest to solve crimes hence protecting Society. The Chief has removed himself from being part of the culture, whereas, it is his responsibility to ensure that the culture is completely eradicated, He owned what happens because he is the Chief of Police. That was a political stunt and I deploy it.

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