INDECOM undertaking review of handling of Seaford Town fatal police shooting scene

Commissioner of the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) Hugh Faulkner says a review has been ordered to determine whether any internal lapse of duty occurred by its investigators who responded to the scene of the fatal shooting of a man by the police in Seaford Town, Westmoreland, last Friday, amid claims of poor work.

Furious residents have accused the watchdog agency of a sloppy investigation, alleging that a team left critical evidence scattered at the scene, pointing out that live rounds and spent shells were still inside the house and in the yard when they left the scene.

An envelope with evidentiary material was also left behind after the scene was processed.

READ: Residents dispute police’s shootout claim in Westmoreland man’s death

Faulkner said the commission is looking into the issues raised.

“The commission is also inquiring into the completeness of the information given to INDECOM, given spent shells were reported to be recovered after the processing of the scene,” he said.

He indicated that there is a protocol for how scenes are processed.

“Generally, when INDECOM is notified of a fatal incident, the INDECOM personnel is given a walkthrough by the law enforcement investigating officer. Law enforcement has a duty to cordon the scene and to preserve its evidential integrity and to explain the events of the incident. INDECOM also values the reports of civilians as to what transpired, where, and when. Accountability is best served with law enforcement and civilians giving their respective versions of events,” said Faulkner.

He argued that INDECOM investigators and crime scene examiners are highly trained and benefit from overseas training to ensure their execution of duties meets global standards.

“It is the professional input of INDECOM's technical staff that accounts greatly for over 70 matters being before the court for murder, assault, and other offences. Several matters ruled for charge by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will be placed before the court in short order.”

Faulkner defended the work of the commission’s personnel and stated that the agency takes its role seriously.

“INDECOM investigators and crime scene examiners are meticulous and thorough in their work. Where forensic material is reportedly found after the processing of the scene, then the commission will have to revisit the information given to determine whether any portion of the incident scene was not pointed out to the commission by error or deliberate conduct. Where it is found that information given to INDECOM was intended to obstruct or hinder its investigation, then a breach of Section 33 of the INDECOM Act would have arisen, leading to a criminal charge,” insisted Faulkner.

He indicated that statements have been collected from police personnel and residents regarding the shooting, noting that both sides have given INDECOM conflicting accounts.

Smith, who would have turned 29 next month, was shot and killed in what the police say was an exchange of gunfire while they were conducting an operation at his Seaford Town residence.

But residents have alleged that Smith, who operated a water truck and was also an established farmer, was executed by the police, claiming that the cops opened fire as soon as they entered the premises.

Over 200 people have been killed in alleged confrontations with members of the security forces since 2026.

- Karen Madden

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