SHIELDS

A team of officers headed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields will leave the island next week for South Africa to visit with the relatives of murdered Pakistan cricket team coach, Bob Woolmer.

Police sources confirmed yesterday that the officers, including Superintendent Colin Pinnock, are scheduled to travel to Woolmer's homeland.

Karl Angell, director of communications for the Jamaica Constabulary Force, did not confirm the exact date of departure for the officers. However, Mr. Angell said arrangements are being made for the officers to meet with Woolmer's family in Cape Town, South Africa.

"A team headed by DCP Shields will be leaving later this month," said Mr. Angell.

Questions

The communications director said that, as is customary, members of the force would brief a victim's family surrounding a person's death.

"They (officers) are preparing to answer questions that the relatives might have," said Mr. Angell.

DCP Shields and the team will depart for South Africa after he returns from Miami, Florida, in the United States. The deputy commissioner is currently attending a meeting with counterparts on behalf of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in the U.S.

"As far as I know this conference has nothing to do with the Woolmer case," added Mr. Angell.

Regarding an arrest in the death of the 58-year-old coach, Mr. Angell said there are still no clear suspects.

"Open investigations continue and all angles are being looked at," he said.

"If a suspect is identified the media will be advised," Mr. Angell added.

Last Sunday, the body of Woolmer, who was murdered in his hotel room at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on March 18, arrived in Cape Town.

Police confirmed that the coach died from asphyxiation caused by manual strangulation.