One day after a former officer of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) complained in a social media post that his brother was being “taxed” by corrupt police officers within the Eastern Division, the businessman in question was yesterday interviewed by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).
While statements were recorded and videos handed over as part of the ongoing investigation yesterday, Guardian Media understands PSB officers will also be interviewing and recording statements from other business owners in the Sangre Grande district later this week.
The businessman involved was interviewed by PSB officers at their office in Port-of-Spain yesterday.
A senior TTPS official told Guardian Media yesterday confirmed an investigation had started.
“We are looking into it. PSB has taken lead in responding. Of course, it is still quite early at this stage.”
The interview came one day after the social media video the businessman’s brother posted went viral on social media.
Subsequent to the viral post, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher ordered an immediate investigation into the allegations.
In a Facebook post on the weekend, the businessman’s brother wrote, “My brother, who owns a business in Sangre Grande, is constantly being approached by police officers of the Sangre Grande station soliciting bribes from him in order to keep his business in operation; on a monthly basis they will enter his business and if not given the requested amount they will then venture to take whatever money is in the register or elsewhere. He has reported this matter to the PSB since last year accompanied with this video and to date nothing has been done. He is also concerned that these very officers may plant illegal drugs on his premises and then hold him accountable for it or physically harm him. These said officers were recorded demanding a bribe from a Chinese businessman. As a retired police officer, it pains me to know that this is what some members of the Police Service have resorted to. Since it seems like the relevant department is reluctant in dealing with this matter, I am sharing this video hoping that it reaches somebody who may consider dealing with this.”
In a release on Monday, the T&T Police Service (TTPS) confirmed the CoP was aware of a video circulating on social media that allegedly showed police officers entering the businessman’s premises.
The TTPS advised, “The Commissioner has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), the arm of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency and efficiency of all investigations and criminal complaints made against Police Officers.”
In addition, the TTPS claimed, “Previous reports made to the PSB about similar matters involving police officers are also being actively investigated.”
Harewood-Christopher also encouraged any member of the public who would like to share information in relation to this investigation to contact the Professional Standards Bureau at 625-3779 or email psb@ttps.gov.tt.
And even as the police investigation into that matter continues, Guardian Media understands a parallel investigation has been initiated by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), which is the country’s only civilian oversight body set up by Parliament to keep watch over police operations.
There are currently 642 open investigations into disciplinary and criminal allegations filed against serving members of the TTPS up to March 14, the PCA has confirmed.
A total of 467 complaints were received during the period 2020 to 2021; whilst 569 complaints were received during the period 2021 to 2022.
The categories of disciplinary allegations include discreditable conduct; neglect of duty and unlawful/unnecessary exercise of authority.
The categories of criminal allegations include assault, misbehaviour in public office, and murder.
Regarding the status of complaints received during 2021 to 2022, the PCA said 410 had been closed and required no further action, while 45 matters were forwarded to the Commissioner of Police and 26 to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). A total of four were forwarded to both the CoP and the DPP for action.
Regarding the status of complaints received during 2020 to 2021, the PCA said 366 matters had been closed and required no further action, while 45 matters had been forwarded to the CoP and 19 to the DPP. A total of seven were forwarded to both the CoP and the DPP for action.