Top cop responds to Ramdeen’s letter

Two Mondays ago, letters of termination (via forced retirement from the TT Police Service) were issued to Snr Supts Simbonath Rajkumar and John Trimm.

The letters invited both officers to make representation as to why they should not be forced to retire from the service.

Both officers were given until yesterday to provide their response to the Acting Commissioner.

Last Thursday, attorney Gerald Ramdeen who is representing the interests of both senior officers sent a letter to Commissioner Williams describing his decision as unlawful, procedurally unfair, unconstitutional and in breach of the Police Act and the Constitution.

In his response, the Commissioner is said to have indicated that he is preparing a detailed response to Ramdeen’s letter and said response would be delivered to him (Ramdeen) sometime yesterday.

In the meantime, sources said, Williams is understood to have informed Ramdeen that he was extending the deadline given to the officers to provide reasons why they should not be retired from the Police Service at the insistence of the Office of the Commissioner of Police.

Contacted for comment, attorney Ramdeen yesterday declined saying he is awaiting the Commissioner’s response before deciding on his next move. Last week Monday, Williams met with President of the Police Social Welfare Association (PSWA) Inspector Michael Seales indicating his decision to retire some First Division officers who he believe are inefficient and non-functional.

After this meeting, both Trimm and Rajkumar were summoned to a meeting with the Commissioner where they were handed the letters.

Yesterday, both Rajkumar and Trimm were at their respective offices at the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) and Eastern Division, carrying out their responsibilities as head of their respective units.