Senior cops by-passed for promotion

Several senior acting inspectors have been served with letters signed by former Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs, advising them that they had been by-passed for promotion. They were also informed that they were not recommended to the next higher rank of inspector. The letters, dated July 6, were delivered to the various heads of all police divisions and were dispatched to the respective officers.

The by-passed officers have 14 days to respond to the letters if they feel aggrieved. At the Port-of-Spain CID, five officers were among those by-passed for promotion, while at the Homicide Bureau, two senior officers were also by-passed for promotion to inspector. In other divisions, several senior inspectors expressed surprise about being by-passed. Officers told Newsday they had information that two junior female officers were recommended for promotion, and they are expected to receive their letters of appointment shortly. The two female officers in question are junior to those who have been by-passed.
      
Acting Cpl Cedric Neptune, president of the Police Second Division, has confirmed that some officers have brought the matter to his attention.
He said the regulations provide for any officers who feel they have been unfairly by-passed, to make proper representation to the Police Service Commission. Based on information received, he said some officers junior to those who have been by-passed were recommended for promotion, while those who received the letters were not. The association is expected to meet with the aggrieved officers shortly.