Judge slams cops’ behaviour

Two uniformed policemen who accompanied two muslimeen members to a foreign used car outlet and drove away with two Land Cruisers, are to be reported to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA). A complaint about the policemen’s behaviour was first made to Justice Gregory Smith by attorney Ravi Rajcoomar, whose client,  M&B Enterprises of Solomon Hochoy Highway, Charlieville, Chaguanas,  was the victim of the incident and who was before the court in a  matter involving five vehicles seized by the police as being stolen from Japan. Rajcoomar told the Port-of-Spain Second Civil Court judge that the muslimeen claimed that M&B Enterprises had sold one of their clients a foreign used car which was stolen from Japan and they wanted compensation.

Rajcoomar said the particular vehicle the muslimeen was referring to, was not subject to any police investigation and the policemen did not show any warrant or document for seizure of vehicles when asked to do so by  owner of the business, Presley Roberts. The Court heard the men then took two unlicenced Land Cruisers and drove away. A report was immediately made to the Cunupia Police Station and when they refused to act another report was made directly to the Superintendent of Police in Chaguanas. He said sometime later both vehicles were returned. Rajcoomar said the behaviour of the policemen could amount to misconduct in public office and possibly larceny of the vehicles. Justice Smith expressed astonishment over the behaviour of the two policemen, whose names and numbers were mentioned in the court. The judge also said he hoped the proper authority would be notified.

He was joined by State attorney Karel Douglas, who also condemned the behaviour of the policemen. Douglas said the State would not tolerate such behaviour. A formal letter complaining about the action of the policemen was sent to the superintendent of the Chaguanas Police Station and a formal complaint to the PCA is expected to be filed next week. At the time, the Court was dealing with a motion filed by Rajcoomar and Kelvin Ramkissoon against the police on behalf of Roberts. Roberts is challenging the police’ authority to seize five of his foreign used vehicles which they claimed were stolen in Japan. Rajcoomar and Ramkissoon  are claiming that if the vehicles were in fact stolen in Japan the local police have no jurisdiction to seize them, since the offence was committed in Japan. Douglas is arguing that the State has the power. The matter was adjourned to February 15, 2005.