Despite an allegation that she attempted to pervert the course of justice in 2023 and was the subject of a probe as head of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), in a matter which remains in abeyance, Suzette Martin will continue as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, of the T&T Police Service (TTPS).
Responding to a story that surfaced on the weekend, in which it was claimed that a senior officer involved in the ongoing investigation into Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher had herself been accused of mishandling two firearm-related investigations, acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Operations, Curt Simon, yesterday said upon seeing it in black and white, he was aware and satisfied that, “in my mind, that matter was dealt with.”
At the time of the allegation by Sgt Sean Haywood, Simon had occupied the post of DCP, Intelligence and Investigations, and was the one who had been in charge of advising the junior officer.
Providing some context during a media briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, the newly appointed DCP recalled sending that report “for advice from two of our senior legal advisors in the TTPS, and the advice came back, returned ... advising that the matter may need some more beef to it, some more meat as you would call it, just for the understanding of the listening public, to say that this is something we should be looking into.”
Referring to the advice received then, Simon added, “What was written was interesting and it needed some more evidence I would say, to actually suggest that, rather than being speculative and being something of conjecture, you need something more evidential.
“I advised the sergeant in particular of the findings of the legal officers, and I advised him of the methods, the approaches, perhaps even the evidential type that he can seek and bring before me that would allow an investigation to be launched.”
Claiming the officer had acknowledged his advice at the time, Simon said, “He asked for some more time, that I had given him, to produce the evidence.
“That evidence, that production, did not and has not materialised since that time, and the matter rested there for that time, awaiting that evidence that will push anything forward.”
He assured that the TTPS executive was addressing the matter.
Also asked to confirm whether reports that a senior official involved in the investigation of Harewood-Christopher had also been transferred, acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin declined to answer directly.
Instead, he said, “I can tell you, however, that we are very particular in terms of how we deal with this matter.”
Benjamin said the continuing probe into Harewood-Christopher remained under the purview of DCP Martin.
The top cop was arrested and detained on January 30 in an ongoing criminal probe into the acquisition of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA).
She was released from custody on February 1 but subsequently suspended from office by the Police Service Commission (PolSC) pending the outcome of probe.