Commissioner sends senior officer on leave

According to sources, the move stemmed from the upsurge in murders in the Western Division.

Newsday understands that there were nine more murders in the division than for the same period last year and the commissioner was alarmed.

Up until yesterday there had been 16 murders in the Western Division for the year.

Sources revealed, before Williams order on Tuesday, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime Irwin Hackshaw met Ramdhanie and other members of the Western Division on Sunday to discuss the spate of murders in that division. It was decided that officers at the Maraval Police Station would work 24- hour shifts. Some welcomed the move saying they were happy for the overtime pay they would receive, while others felt they were being overworked. However the new working hours have been implemented.

This is expected to be on a short-term basis.

Newsday also understands that additional manpower has been placed in the La Puerta, Diego Martin area where there has been an upsurge in murders.

Contacted yesterday on the situation, president of the Police Social and Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales said “The association sees nothing wrong with that move.

Other officers in the second division have been asked to proceed on all their leave in situations where their leave would have exceeded the 90-days threshold.

The members have the opportunity to talk to the association who can make representation on their behalf for their leave to be deferred if the circumstances warrant it.

“There has been no word from Ramdhanie on whether he wants representation or not, so the association would not speak on the issue, but would only say that the Acting CoP has constitutional powers that he can exercise for the complete management and efficiency of the police. If he acts outside of this and a member is aggrieved, then the association would challenge his decision.” Williams could not be reached for comment.

In January two other senior superintendents Simboonath Rajkumar and John Trimm were given seven days to respond to Williams’ decision to send them on early retirement. That matter is before the courts.