Heat for West End cops

TTEC officials visited the station on Wednesday to carry out an inspection, and they subsequently left with the meter box and electricity had to be cut to the station. A back-up generator gave officers power for only eight hours. That night, the officers were left in total darkness.

AG Deputy Police Commissioner Winston Cooper said he was aware of the situation since a report on the matter was sent to him. Officers from the station said the heat inside the station has become unbearable in the day and at night they are swarmed by mosquitoes.

A release issued yesterday evening from the TT Police Service indicated that these officers can expect a weekend of sweat and discomfort since the Service expects the electrical problem to be rectified by Monday.

The release added that the Service’s facilities management department was already carrying out the necessary repairs.

The station is being provided an electrical supply by a back-up generator, the release added. However, police sources said they did not trust the generator to give them a consistent supply of power throughout the weekend.

“When the generator cuts off we have no lights at the station and it is so hot that we cannot concentrate on our work,” a source said. The electrical inspectorate told officers that the station has to be rewired and at anytime, it could burn down through an electricity malfunction. The officers threatened “sick out” action if the electricity problem is not rectified soon.

Meanwhile, firemen from Belmont Fire Station who initiated a walk-out on Wednesday have decided to cease all protest action.

Many of the officers attached to the Belmont station are probationers and have been told by senior officers that they put their jobs in jeopardy if they continue to engage in protest action, a source said.

The probationers, who have not been confirmed in their jobs, were advised to delay their planned walk-out of the station, until a report is submitted by the Fire Services Association.

Yesterday, Clunis Wallen, the Deputy Treasurer of the Fire Services Association told Newsday that steps are afoot for a health assessment to be done at the station.

The Belmont Fire Station is over 60 years old and accommodates 28 fire officers.

The executive of the Fire Services Association was assured that all attempts are being made to iron out several problems.