T&T corruption case involving 7 cops collapses

3 police complainants face discipline after corruption case involving 7 cops collapses

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has initiated disciplinary proceedings against three officers following the collapse of Monday’s high-profile court case involving seven police officers.
Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher confirmed yesterday that disciplinary actions are already underway against the police complainants. The case was dismissed due to procedural errors made by the officers managing it.

The TTPS’ action forms part of an ongoing investigation into potential breaches of procedure, misconduct, or negligence in the case.
On Monday, corruption charges against seven cops were dismissed, followed by the dismissal of charges against five additional officers on Wednesday for extortion and misconduct in public office. The commissioner is also investigating the second matter involving the five officers.

She noted that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has been engaged to chart the way forward.

....On Monday, Master Sarah De Silva dismissed charges against the seven officers, citing prosecutorial failures, including the absence of witnesses, missing evidence, and non-compliance with court procedures. The officers had been charged in April 2023 following allegations of corruption against a Sangre Grande businessman during an operation targeting illegal gambling establishments.

A viral video purportedly showing officers seizing cash during the operation had sparked public outcry, but defence attorneys argued the investigation was incomplete and lacked substantive evidence.

Rowley busy protecting the Caribbean shores.

Public Concerned

It’s disappointing and disconcerting that in this period of high crime, a total of 12 police officers in two sets of charges have been freed by the courts, not on the basis of being found innocent of the allegations, but rather because of a failure of the prosecuting teams to provide the courts with sufficient and cogent evidence against the officers.

In one of the instances, five officers of the Northern Division Task Force were charged with extortion, soliciting $30,000 and five pounds of marijuana from a couple after a search of their home.

In the other matter, seven police officers were charged for allegedly seizing cash from a business establishment in Sangre Grande; a video is supposed to have shown the officers in the act.

In both instances, the courts, faced with what was considered to be the lack of sufficient quality evidence presented by the prosecuting teams, dismissed the cases and freed the officers. It is not a matter of seeking to persecute the officers after they were freed, but rather it’s an instance of the displayed incapacity of the prosecuting team to secure the evidence required for the matters to be proceeded with.

As we have reported on these matters, the prosecution did not produce the evidence required notwithstanding the extra time given by the courts.

T&T Editorial Guardian