POLICE WANT APOLOGY FROM LARRY ACHONG

President of the Police Second Division, Insp Christopher Holder, yesterday called on Former Labour Minister and MP for Point Fortin, Larry Achong, to apologise to all police officers who were on duty at protest site of disgruntled ALNG workers, for saying the officers had come there to brutalise the people of Point Fortin. Speaking to Newsday yesterday, Holder said “If I were Mr Larry Achong, I would humbly apologise to the officers as they were only doing their legitimate duty. There was nothing pathological about the officers presence, as they were only there to protect the striking ALNG workers, including Mr Achong as well.”

Holder described the statements by the Point Fortin MP as unfortunate, saying “It is indeed an unfortunate statement to be made by a person who had been reposed with such profound social and economic responsibility for the country and as a Member of Parliament as well.” The president of the Police Second Division explained that the heavy police presence was in fact nothing different from normal practices. Responding to the former Labour Minister’s Comments, that orders had been “sent from the top” to have the heavily armed officers at the site, Holder, with a very serious tone in his voice said “Police officers do not receive instructions from politicians, whether it be the Minister of National Security or the Prime minister. All our members are aware of this and they know that their duties are governed by the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Our job involves impartiality in performing our duties. It is unfair to embroil police officers into a political battle and therefore our job has nothing to do with politics and the politicians.”
 
Holder also commented on statements made by Trade Union representatives concerning the presence of the armed forces, saying “We respect the role of the Trade Union representatives, but they must also respect the roles the police play in the circumstances of preserving law and order. We must have that mutual respect for each other and not try to relate false perceptions. There is generally a trend with industrial disputes as far as a police presence is concerned, and this will be upheld.” Apart from dismissing comments made by the former Labour Minister and Trade Union representatives, Holder commended the striking ALNG workers for their display of good behaviour during yesterday’s demonstration. “I also want to commend the striking ALNG workers because even though it appeared that was the objective of the statement, the workers did not show any form of aggression or disrespect for the officers on duty,” Holder said.