St Joseph Police get St Augustine building

Secretary of the Police Service Second Division Sgt Noel Chase told Newsday yesterday that the building has already been identified and the St Joseph officers will be relocated by next month.

Sgt Chase said the St Joseph officers have been operating out of the Tunapuna Police Station, but even that station is in dire need of repairs and is overcrowded.

A mobile unit has been posted at the St Joseph Police Station to maintain a police presence there.

Chase said the association will be monitoring the situation at St Joseph.

He added that every year, the St Joseph Police Station is identified as one of the stations to be rebuilt, but that was never done.

He pointed out that some refurbishment was done at the station last year, but no major works were done which led to a police officer falling through the wooden flooring at the station.

The toilets remained non functional, causing officers stationed there to become frustrated and fed-up.

In desperation, they turned to the police Second Division which led them on the walkout of the station two weeks ago.

Chase noted yesterday that the association has recommended to Police Commissioner Trevor Paul that a committee be set up to monitor the situation at police stations in need of repair.

He added that officers in other stations may take similar action if nothing is done to alleviate their plight.

According to Chase, the association has also recommended that cell blocks located inside chargerooms at police stations be shifted.

He complained that the stench from the cellblocks makes it uncomfortable for police officers to work.