Cop challenges transfer order

 A POLICE Corporal was granted leave yesterday by the High Court to seek judicial review after the Police Service Commission (PSC) transferred him from Police Southern Division to Northern Division. Corporal Shafeeq Mohammed, who was attached to St Margaret’s police station, was granted leave by Justice Peter Jamadhar when the matter was called in the First Civil Court of the San Fernando Assizes. Mohammed, 53, of Southern Main Road, Duncan Village, near San Fernando, is represented by attorney Chateram Sinanan, with instructing attorney being Kevin Ratiram.

In Mohammed’s affidavit he stated that he joined the police service in 1971, and had served in the Northern and Central Division for 18 years. He stated that on January 6, 2003, he was transferred to the St Margaret’s police station. The applicant stated, however, that in May he submitted a medical report to the Senior Superintendent of Police in San Fernando, informing his seniors that he suffered from heart disease, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia and had been advised by doctors that travelling long distances could adversely affect his health. Mohammed was later informed by a senior police officer that arrangements would be made for him to work daylight duties only. On July 1 he was given notice of a transfer back to the Northern Division. He is claming the PSC acted illegally because of the poor state of his health, his age and service outside the Southern Division.