Police constable Kashyap Ryan Lochan, who was shot twice while responding to a robbery at a bar in Barrackpore two weeks ago, says he remains committed to the T&T Police Service (TTPS) and will not leave the job. But he believes police recruits need more training before being sent out into the field. Lochan, 21, who was released from hospital last Saturday, made the comment yesterday as he spoke to the T&T Guardian about the incident from his Cumoto Road, Princes Town, home.
“Yes I will be staying in the service,” he said, when asked whether he would take his family’s advice and leave the service in the wake of the incident. “Since I was a little boy I wanted to be an officer. However, it’s true we don’t receive proper training. The (training) time is just too short.” The incident at the Vietnam Bar, Barrackpore, earlier this month sparked a major public debate after the video of the entire response was first aired by Ian Alleyne on the CNC’s Crime Watch programme.
After seeing the video, both members of the public and the police service admitted that it appeared the officers who responded to the scene did not have proper training. They noted, among other things, that the three bandits appeared more composed when they were firing at Lochan and his colleagues, whereas the police appeared somewhat disoriented when they were fired upon.
Yesterday, Lochan explained that the current time period for training is six to seven months. “I think it should be at least eight to ten months instead.”
Reliving ordeal
Lochan also tried to describe his experience on the night he was shot. “I can’t really explain the feeling I had, all I can say is I thought it was a fight or something, because we were responding to a disturbance. But we have to expect anything.” Saying he is unsure when he will be returning to active duty, Lochan praised the support services of the TTPS. “I was offered counselling, at my convenience. All I can say is that the support has been excellent.”
He added that he hoped the men who shot him would be brought to justice. Lochan has seven months’ service and was working at the Barrackpore Police Station at the time. His father, Terry Lochan, also took the opportunity yesterday to offer thanks to staff at the San Fernando General Hospital (SFGH), where his son received emergency surgery after being shot and spent eight days receiving treatment.
“I really have to say my sincerest thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the SFGH. And to the doctors who did emergency surgery on him, a special thanks to them.” The elder Lochan said he would support any decision his son made, although the family initially felt he should quit after going through this ordeal. “I believe the whole experience would have made him stronger. I support him in anything he decides to do,” he said.
Flashback
Around 10.30 pm on January 2, Constable Kashyap Lochan was shot in the lower abdomen and left leg while responding to a robbery at the Vietnam Bar in Barrackpore. Lochan was accompanied by his colleagues, WPC Cholai and PC Sookhoo, at the time. When Lochan approached the bar, one of the three armed bandits opened fire on him, hitting him twice. Shots were also fired at the vehicle Lochan and his colleagues arrived in and at passing vehicles.
The bandits were able to escape with approximately $35,000 in cash plus cell phones and jewelry that were taken from patrons. Police are still searching for the men.