DPP to decide fate of Tobago cops

The file on the release of two Barbadian fishermen by the police in Tobago will be dealt with shortly. A source in the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions yesterday said the file was handed over to the office  when DPP Geoffrey Henderson was on leave two weeks ago. The DPP returned to office yesterday, but while he said he had “no comment” on the matter when contacted, some sources said they expect to receive directions in the matter shortly. They told Newsday the DPP will decide whether any charges could be laid against police officers in the matter, or whether  the file should be sent back to the investigator.

One source revealed that the investigator, Snr Supt Benjamin Watson, received no cooperation from the persons interviewed on the release of the fishermen. The incomplete file was returned to the then ag Commissioner Trevor Paul, who submitted the file to the office of the DPP. Up until yesterday, the DPP was still in the dark about who gave the instructions for the release of the two Bajan fishermen. Sources in Tobago said yesterday that several key documents relating to the release of the fishermen have gone missing. Only the DPP has the power to order the release of anyone charged by the police. On February 7, 47-year-old Jos-eph Mason and 61-year-old Samuel Firebrace were held by the Coast Guard and were later charged with fishing illegally in Trinidad and Tobago waters.

On February 9, Cpl John Morrison, a prosecutor at the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court, told Magistrate Joan Gill that the police had decided not to offer any evidence in the matter and the two fishermen were allowed to leave the courtroom free men. The fishermen departed Tobago that same day with the fish they caught, which included 13 king fish, 11 dolphins and over 3,000 pounds of flying fish. On April 26, the DPP wrote the ag Commissioner of Police and noted, “A month has now elapsed and I find it quite shocking that this matter remains undetermined. The persons who ought to be interviewed and re-interviewed are either police officers or public officials. It could not take a month to conduct such interviews, this is a matter of great concern and appears to be a trespass on the independent constitutional powers vested in the DPP.”