POLICE ASSOCIATION TRUSTEE CHARGED

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) carried out its own investigation and the PCA also initiated its own probe which is yet to be completed.

Newsday understands that PCA head, David West, wrote to the PSWA asking for certain documents and information to assist the Authority in its probe. Sources revealed that some documents were provided, but the Association indicated that it was not in possession of some of the information requested by the PCA.

Also, the PCA felt that the information and documents were being deliberately withheld, prompting the decision to secure the summonses against First Trustee of the PSWA, Acting Inspector Ian Carthy.

Carthy, on Tuesday, was served with the three summonses which mandates him to appear before a Port-of- Spain Magistrate next Monday.

Sources revealed that the new PSWA executive has retained the services of Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan to represent Carthy.

Contacted yesterday, PCA Chairman David West confirmed the action taken by the PCA to secure three summons and said “The PCA has acted in accordance with the Police Complaints Authority Act Sec 22-2A and B and Section 47H and I”.

Asked by Newsday if this was the first time this action was taken by the PCA, West said that he believes so.

He confirmed that the summons were taken out as a result of the alleged failure by the PSWA’s member in assisting the PCA in their probe.

Newsday also contacted Secretary of the PSWA, Inspector Anand Ramesar, who said, “We are very disappointed in this particular course of action.

We have been in dialogue with the PCA over the last ten months and, if there was an issue, we felt that this could have been resolved without having to go to court. In the face of our operations with that body, we consider the action to be very high-handed and many of our members are perceiving it as an attack on police officers and an attack on its Association.

“We as an association will always respect the rule of law and we have had discussions with our attorney, Anand Ramlogan, who will be representing Acting Inspector Carthy. It remains curious that at no time these intentions were announced and to say the least it came like a thief in the night.” Ramesar insisted that at no time did he or any of his Executive members deliberately withhold any information from the PCA in relation to its investigation.