Shane Superville
Senior Reporter
shane.superville@guardian.co.tt
Months after she led an inquiry into allegations of criminal conduct against former police commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher, DCP Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin is herself now being investigated.
This was confirmed by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro during a media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain yesterday, where he revealed that the allegations arose from Martin’s involvement in the detention of firearms dealer and trainer Brent Thomas in Barbados in October, 2022.
Thomas, 61, was detained while awaiting a flight from Barbados to the US, returned home and later charged with three counts of possession of firearms and four counts of possession of explosives.
Asked about the nature of the allegations against Martin, Guevarro said, “The firearm dealer would have indicated certain acts were carried out against him and he felt this was bordering on criminal conduct. I would not want to pronounce on exactly what is that criminal conduct because an investigation is underway and we will be certain that the investigation, when completed, will uncover whatever criminal conduct exists, so I don’t want to pronounce on it.”
Guevarro said he acted promptly and with due process in mind, noting that he was appointed on June 18 and received the report on the same date.
Asked if Martin was the only person being considered in the investigation, Guevarro said he preferred not to disclose how many people were within the investigation’s scope.
Guevarro noted that while there have been challenges over leadership and the public’s poor perception of the TTPS, especially after the arrest of Harewood-Christopher in February, he said the service was firmly committed to fulfilling its mandate of protecting and serving.
“The leadership of the TTPS is firm in its resolve to ensure we carry out our duly constitutional mandate to protect and serve the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. We have no reason to have any doubt in our minds that the investigation will be one that is transparent.”
While he said there was no timeline for completion of the enquiry, Guevarro said Martin would continue in office.
Asked if he felt having her on active duty would hamper the integrity of the enquiry, Guevarro maintained he was confident in the ability of the investigative team led by ACP Curt Simon. He maintained that only the Police Service Commission (PolSC) has the authority to suspend police officers.
However, when contacted for comment yesterday, PolSC chairman Dr Wendell Wallace said he was unaware Martin was being investigated and preferred not to comment until he received further information.
“I have had no information regarding that at this point in time. However, the Commissioner of Police is very much correct. If you have an investigation ongoing into a DCP, or commissioner of police, the commissioner of police cannot subtend such person, that falls within our remit.”
Contacted for comment yesterday, DCP Martin said she welcomed the enquiry and assured that even as she continued to serve as DCP, she would not obstruct investigators.
“I welcome the enquiry. I have been and will continue to fully co-operate with all lawful investigative processes.”
She said she was confident the investigation would be conducted with due process.
“The T&T Police Service operates under the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and the rule of law, so the fact that an investigation is launched, we’ll see how that goes.”
The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) yesterday confirmed they conducted a separate investigation into Martin’s involvement in Thomas’ arrest on April 27, 2023 and his return to T&T.
The authority declined to comment further, citing the “integrity of the judicial process.”
Meanwhile, former police commissioner Gary Griffith said any investigation into Martin should also probe who gave the TTPS the orders to act.
“No member of the T&T Police Service can leave our territorial waters to be involved in any operation, investigation or anything unless they have the requisite approval and authority, permission and direction from the Minister of National Security,” Griffith said.
“So, if at any time this matter with Brent Thomas being abducted by police officers is being investigated, the investigation has to be broadened to include who gave Suzette Martin the authorisation.”
Guardian Media also contacted TTPS Social Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) president, acting ASP Gideon Dickson, for comment, but he said he was not aware of the development and preferred to verify the information before responding.