DPP calls for action against Tobago cops

Four police officers based in Tobago could face summary dismissal from the Police Service based on recommendations submitted to the Police Service Commission (PSC) by the Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson. The DPP has also sent recommendations to Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs for internal disciplinary action to be taken. The recommendations are based on the report on the release of two Barbadian fishermen by the police in Tobago in February last. The file was sent to the PSC and the Commissioner last week. A source in the office of the DPP told Newsday that the report submitted by the police did not identify the person who gave the instructions to the police to offer no evidence against the two Bajan fishermen.

The source added that because no one was named in the report, the DPP could not make any sensible recommendation in the matter. The DPP has, however, recommended to the Commissioner that an internal investigation be carried out in the matter to see if disciplinary action could be taken against the policemen. Newsday understands that the recommendations by the DPP to the PSC could mean summary dismissal in the matter. A police corporal based in Tobago has already been served with a warning notice. The departmental notice means that the matter is being investigated internally with a view to disciplinary action. The notice alleges that the corporal failed to carry out his duties in a professional manner. This is the latest development since the release of Bajan fishermen Joseph Mason and Samuel Firebrace, who were caught fishing in waters in Tobago on February 9.

On February 11, the police offered no evidence against the two fishermen and they were allowed to go free by a Scarborough magistrate. This development caused concern as to who gave orders for the case against the fishermen to be discontinued. The DPP sent a letter to Police Commissioner Snaggs asking for a report on the matter. The Commissioner was asked to find out who authorised the discontinuance of the case against the two fishermen. On March 12, the Commissioner replied via letter giving a concise summary of the circumstances in which it was said the matter was discontinued. On March 29, the DPP wrote the Commissioner asking for statements or reports in the matter and on April 26, the DPP wrote the CoP noting that he found it quite shocking that the matter remains undetermined. He also noted that the matter involved what appears to be a trespass on the independent constitutional powers vested in the DPP.