COPS versus COPS

POLICE OFFICERS attached to the Court and Process Branch were taken by surprise yesterday when a wrecker from the Traffic Branch moved down St Vincent Street and took away their vehicles which were parked in a no-parking zone outside the city magistrates’ court. The officers became highly incensed when they were told by the wrecker crew that the decision to move their vehicles came from ACP (Traffic) Trevor Paul.

Proceedings at the city courts slowed down as police officers rushed outside to make alternative arrangements for their vehicles. Admitting that they were parked in a no-parking zone, the officers felt the hierarchy of the Police Service should have been more sensitive and shown understanding for the officers who are responsible for controlling prisoners at the courthouse. The officers said the decision to clamp down on these vehicles “came like a thief in the night.” One officer told Newsday, “when they launched Anaconda, there was a big thing in the media which alerted the criminals to take cover. But they decide to move our vehicles, and no one had the courtesy to let us know.” When contacted, Acting Commissioner Paul said he was very surprised that police officers would protest what was done yesterday. He said court officers, like the rest of the Police Service, are there to ensure that the laws of the country are enforced. Paul said he instructed the Traffic Branch to move through Port-of-Spain to ensure that the traffic laws were enforced. He said the police had to work within a boundary —Richmond Street to the west, Duncan Street to the east, Park Street to the north, and Independence Square to the south.

Paul said he asked the senior officers to take command of this exercise. “While we are focusing on the kidnappings and the flow of drugs into the country, we must also be serious about the smaller things, like traffic laws. We are too lax in this country and it is time we become serious with what we do.” The acting ACP continued, “I did not target St Vincent Street. I gave them a boundary with which to work and they went there to do their work. People must comply with the law. Police officers who should be upholding the law, should be the last people to complain about this exercise. They should not be complaining. I would have thought that policemen would have moved their vehicles and not allow them to be towed away.” But while the wrecker moved vehicles outside the city court, it left others which were parked outside the old Police Headquarters building on St Vincent Street. When Newsday passed there, several cars were parked in front of the building, where no-parking signs were visibly displayed. The wrecker simply drove by and went on its merry way. When told about this, ACP Paul said the police did not do their job. “They were supposed to deal with complacent motorists within this boundary. Maybe, they plan to do it, as this will be a continuing exercise,” he added.