Renewed call for ‘weeding out’ of corrupt cops
The call for a ‘weeding out’ of corrupt members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has been made again, this time from the chairman of the Tobago Business Chamber, Martin George.
Speaking on today’s edition of CNC3’s The Morning Brew show, George argued that “very strong and very clear signals” must be sent to police officers.
Last week, two police officers were charged in connection with the kidnapping and murder of used car dealer Sachel Kungebeharry, while men dressed in police gear were seen on CCTV footage taking away Cunupia businessman Suvesh Ramnarine, for whose release a $3 million ransom has been demanded.
An attorney-at-law and a former member of the Police Service Commission, George believes more can be done to detect and infiltrate the activities of rogue officers.
He asserts that police officers involved in criminal activities should face swift and severe consequences and is calling on Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood Christopher to do more.
“The Commissioner has the power of dismissal. The Commissioner can dismiss officers from the Service,” George points out. “So, these powers need to be exercised in a very strong and stringent manner if you intend to weed out [corrupt] officers.”
“It makes no sense that you have police officers who are charged … still receiving a salary,” he argues. “So, they are charged [with a crime], and if some of them come out on bail, they’re receiving a salary still, and they’re free to commit criminal acts. What is the point of that? We’re paying them to be criminals. We need to be more decisive.”
Martin George maintains that trust and confidence in the Police Service must be restored.
“When you are dismissing and terminating officers for criminal activities, you need to do that publicly. You need to do the naming and shaming,” he stated.
“First of all, the public will know that you are taking decisive action, and you are dealing with these officers,” he points out. “And other police officers will recognise that there are consequences—and people are being dealt with in a very serious way—for breaking the law as police officers.”
The Tobago Business Chamber chairman noted that serious, violent crime continues to escalate in Tobago, despite the addition of police officers from the Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch.
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