WPC wins lawsuit against transfer

A WOMAN police constable who suffered a back injury, yesterday won a lawsuit against her transfer from the Fraud Squad, Port-of-Spain, to a police station in the Central Division. WPC Nisha Sookram slipped and fell on February 13, 1997, on the wet floor of the female washroom at St James Barracks, fracturing a coccyx bone and disc. At the time, she was attached to Fraud Squad, but due to severe back pain she was forced to proceed on several days injury leave. The officer was transferred on October, 1, 2001, via a Departmental Order, to the Central Division. Sookram filed a judicial review lawsuit challenging the Police Commissioner and Police Service Commission’s decision to transfer her. Filed by attorneys Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj SC, Sunil Gopaul-Gosine and instructed by Garnet Mungalsingh, Sookram contended she was entitled to be notified of the transfer in writing and given 14 days notice in the event she wished to contest the transfer.

When the case came up for hearing yesterday in the San Fernando High Court, deputy Solicitor General Krishendeo Narinesingh referred Justice Carlton Best to an affidavit filed in response to Sookram’s lawsuit. Asst Supt of Police John King admitted in the affidavit that the Order was erroneously published effecting Sookram’s transfer. And pursuant to the Order, Sookram’s allowances as a Fraud Squad officer, ceased. King, however, stated that on December 31, 2003, the Order was cancelled. Attorney Gosine informed Justice Best that having regard to the affidavit, he was withdrawing the motion. By consent, it was agreed that the State would pay Sookram’s legal cost as well as damages for loss of her entitlements.