Top Cop, PC in oval scuffle

The incident took place in full view of people on their way to attend the one-day cricket match at the Queen’s Park Oval between the West Indies and India.

Reports revealed that at about 8 am, PC Danglade was carrying out traffic duties at Elizabeth Street, St Clair, close to the Queen’s Park Oval, when he advised a motorist that he could not proceed up a street because it was closed to vehicular traffic. Several streets in and around the Queen’s Park Oval were closed off to vehicular traffic yesterday.

According to reports, Ag Police Commissioner Glen Roach who was in plain clothes on his way to the Oval, and was seated in another car, told PC Danglade to allow the driver to pass.

He did not identify himself as the Ag Commissioner. PC Danglade refused and Roach again asked the constable to allow the driver to proceed.

PC Danglade reportedly walked up to Ag Commissioner Roach and placed him under arrest. He reportedly told the Ag Commissioner that he was under arrest and cautioned him.

He also told him that he was obstructing him in the execution of his duties.

Onlookers said there was a scuffle between the two men. PC Danglade was then told by another police officer that the man he tried to arrest was the Ag Police Commissioner.

The constable left the scene and sought medical attention at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He then went to the Woodbrook Police Station where he made a report to Ag ASP Terry Khan, and presented a medical certificate which stated that he (PC Danglade) who has been in the service for the past three years, was injured on his right hand. The constable then gave a statement. He claimed that he was not aware that the person he tried to arrest was the Ag Commissioner.

When Newsday attempted to reach Ag Commissioner Roach on his cellphone, a police corporal answered the phone and said that Roach was unavailable. Later in the day his phone went to voice mail and his chief clerk said that he was in a meeting. Roach was seen at the Oval late yesterday as police officers used the one-day match to carry out a trial run for the upcoming World Cup Cricket.

Newsday learnt that according to protocol, only Police Commissioner Trevor Paul can investigate this matter because the person who the allegations are made against is a deputy commissioner of police. Commissioner Paul is out of the country and due back on June 1.