Cops day in court in October

The trial date was agreed upon by counsel for the PCs Om Lalla and Kelvin Ramkissoon and attorney for the State Russell Martineau SC, after Monday’s hearing before Justice Nolan Bereaux at the Port-of-Spain Fourth Civil Court. In response to questions by the judge as to the possibility of a quick settlement, Martineau was not optimistic of such a resolution.

The attorney said he couldn’t see how it could be resolved when the system for promotions, which the officers were now complaining about, had been approved by police executive, the police association and the Police Service Commission.

According to Martineau, he was told that one of the 23 had been recommended for promotion and there may be others. He said it was up to the PCs to decide if they wanted to proceed with the matter.

Lalla indicated that it was likely that even if some of the officers wanted to drop the action, the other affected officers may still wish to continue with the court proceedings.

The 23 officers had been granted an injunction on May 27 by Justice Judith Jones, blocking the promotions of their colleagues on May 28.