Ex Flying Squad member suing State

Cordner said he was asked by then national security minister Jack Warner and former head of the National Security Operations Centre, Garvin Heerah, to prepare a template and crime plan to assist in crime reduction through the covert unit.

He said he did so in August of 2012.

Cordner, of Four Roads, Diego Martin, filed the lawsuit in December and is represented by attorneys Thomas Cunningham and Stefan Mungalsingh.

In his lawsuit, Cordner claimed in furtherance of the initial agreement with Heera and Warner, he and his unit, which comprised of two other persons, were tasked with investigating several murders, including those of two Chinese nationals in Cunupia; was instrumental in the arrests of the suspects in that murder as well as monitoring gang activity in several areas in Trinidad and the planting of marijuana along the eastern coast-line and human trafficking.

He said in November of that year he made numerous requests for payment to further the development of the covert unit, and made a final request a month later and received promises from Heerah that payment would be made.

Cordner said in December, 2012, he returned eight vehicles to the ministry and claims in his lawsuit the Minister had every opportunity to reject his services but he was allowed to do the work asked of him, without compensation.

He insisted that it was agreed he and members of the unit would be remunerated for their services.

Cordner’s proposed a monthly salary of $65,000 for himself, which he said was reasonable.

Cordner, a trained lawyer, in his lawsuit also noted that an investigation into the alleged establishment was conducted by the TTPS and he will rely on the document to support his claim He also said a similar investigation was conducted by the Police Complaints Authority.

Cordner said his attorneys sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Ministry of National Security but has received no response, which led to him filing the claim in the High Court.

Cordner is also seeking interest and costs.