Ex-cop locked out in TTPRA dispute

A FORMER policeman who is now secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Retirees’ Association (TTPRA) was last Friday locked out of his offfice by other executive members.

“When I went to my office at the old police band room at the Central Police Station on Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, I found all the padlocks changed,” said Peter Diaz. He said he was told by the TTPRA’s president Derrick Joseph and Secretary Joyce Agard that he would not be allowed to enter the office because of a restraining order placed against him and two other members, Evon Gordon and Herbert Tyson. But according to Diaz, the particulars set out in the injunction filed against him do not debar him from entering the office. The ex-parte injunction was granted by Justice Carlton Best.

Diaz’ troubles began when, as secretary of TTPRA, he and other members sought answers to questions about the running of the organisation especially in relation to finances and the holding of elections for the 2003-2004 period. The elections, Diaz said, should have been held during the last annual general meeting which was carded for November 1. “For unexplained reasons, no elections were held,” said Diaz. One thing led to another resulting in the injunction being filed against him and two other members.

Diaz explained, “the injunction restrains us from advertising the holding of a meeting of TTPRA, taking any steps with a view to effecting the holding of any meeting of TTPRA and conducting the business or affairs of the association, including the convening or holding of a meeting to elect officers. It does not restrain us as financial members from entering the office,” said Diaz. He was only allowed to enter his office by the president and vice-president to collect his personal belongings. The matter is fixed for hearing on January 6, 2004 and Diaz said he intends to talk to his lawyer about filing his own injunction.