Cops can be charged with larceny

POLICE OFFICERS who confiscate equipment belonging to photographers and journalists can be charged for larceny under the laws of Trinidad and Tobago, according to former Assistant Director of Public Prosecution, Indra Ramoutar-Liverpool.

While explaining the rights of journalists who suffer abuse in the line of duty at the hands of officers, Liverpool explained that officers are acting illegally when they take away film, photographs or any equipment belonging to a reporter, photographer or media house without consent. She also pointed out that this action amounted to larceny. Liverpool was at the time addressing journalists at the workshop hosted by the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago and the Association of Media Photographers of Trinidad and Tobago at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain on Saturday.

Commenting on the issue, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Winston Cooper explained that he believes the situation could be dealt with through training and education and suggested that the media host similar workshops to educate journalists on the role of the police service. ACP Cooper pointed out that it was illegal for an officer to use his authority as an excuse to be uncivil and abusive to members of the general public, and can be brought before the court in accordance with the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Also addressing reporters, Retired High Court Judge Bissoondath Ramlogan explained that there was no excuse whatsoever for bad manners, no excuse for abuse or no excuse for rash behaviour on the path of a police officer when dealing with the general public.

Responding to a query on the conduct of plain clothes police officers and their refusal to provide a regimental number or police ID when it is requested as a means of certifying the “officer’s” identity, ACP Cooper explained that all police officers have a number which should be given when it is requested. He explained that he could not understand why an officer would not give his number or show his ID if he is doing the right thing. ACP Cooper pointed out that a police officer is supposed to be civil when dealing with everyone, especially the media, and they are supposed to know that.