Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
A Woman Police Constable (WPC) attached to the St Joseph Police Station, whose brusque response to the victim of a house break-in stirred widespread outrage, was served with a disciplinary notice and will be investigated for her response.
In a voice-note that was circulated on social media yesterday, the officer was heard speaking with a man who claimed his home was broken into and items stolen.
The man said a relative had earlier called the E999, who in turn said they would have called the station to relay the information so that officers could respond. However, the man said they were still waiting on police to call them.
The officer responded, “Ok, so what you all doing, sitting down home and waiting for the police to call allyuh? You don’t know where the station is?”
The man, seemingly stunned by the reply, asked, “Excuse me?”
To this, the officer said, “Do you know where the station is, St Joseph station. So why you all don’t come in and make a formal report.”
An even more stunned caller then told the officer thanks and hung up.
But the call, which was recorded, was later shared on WhatsApp and was widely shared.
A senior police officer yesterday said the issue was brought to their attention and confirmed the incident was authentic and had happened in the St Joseph police district.
The officer also clarified that the incident was not a home invasion, as originally suggested by the caller, but a breaking and entering and subsequent larceny.
The officer said the WPC will now be investigated and brought before a tribunal of senior officers to answer for her tone.
The source added that the police service treated such incidents with the utmost priority.
“It has the potential to undermine the trust we have with the public and bring the service into disrepute.”
The officer, the source said, will not be pulled from active duty, however, as it was not a criminal investigation.
“Over the years, we have done our best to build a rapport and closer relationship with the public by having a ‘one door’ policy, where matters can be reported at any police station and even over the phone if necessary, so this is very unfortunate,” the senior officer said.
The source noted that the officer could possibly face disciplinary action owing to neglect of duty.
Contrary to reports on social media, senior police said the WPC was not transferred to the Toco Police Station but was instead placed on “desk duties” until the completion of the enquiry.
Shortly after the voice-note was shared on social media, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, in a media release, condemned the officer’s abrasive tone, noting that unprofessionalism and poor customer service would not be tolerated in the TTPS.
She also apologised to the victim and urged the public to seek assistance from a senior officer at the police station if they are unsatisfied with the quality of responses from the officer taking their report.
“The public is advised that senior officers at all police stations are responsible for ensuring that all reports made, whether by telephone or in person, are accurately and immediately recorded and that officers take prompt action where necessary,” the CoP.
“Members of the public not satisfied that this protocol is being followed, are advised to immediately seek an audience with the officer in charge of the station.”
In a public post on his personal Facebook account, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds also said the incident highlighted the problem of unprofessionalism and poor attitudes across the public service.
Describing the officer’s response as “rude and unbecoming”, Hinds lamented that disrespectful, dismissive responses from public servants was becoming increasingly widespread and stressed the need for such workers to be more service-oriented.
“It is about service! Of course, there are many who are not like that! But there are far too many who are,” Hinds said.
“Too often, rudeness and uncaring are the order of the day. And often, there is no accountability!
“This is a reflection of the general trend in our society, where rudeness, obscenity and violence appear to be gaining ground rapidly.”
Hinds commended the citizen for recording the phone call, but also noted incidents where members of the public have also been disrespectful and even violent towards public officers.