PCA investigates allegations of misconduct and criminal acts at 3 municipal police stations

News

43 minutes ago

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is investigating the municipal police of three companies after receiving a series of anonymous reports of serious police misconduct and criminal activity.

A July 29 PCA press release said the officers under investigation are based at the Port of Spain City police station and the Siparia and Point Fortin police stations.

Michelle Solomon-Baksh, deputy director of PCA, confirmed that an investigation into the allegations has been launched.

“Anyone with information that may assist the PCA’s investigation into these allegations is urged to contact the PCA. The Deputy Director wishes to assure the public that information received by the PCA is protected by the PCA Act and remains confidential,” the statement said.

When contacted, police and other representatives from two of the companies expressed shock at the allegations and said they were unaware of them.

When Newsday called Doodnath Mayhroo, chairman of the Siparia Borough Corporation, he said it was the first time he had heard of the allegations and the investigation.

He later said that based on what the police chiefs told him, it was news to them too.

“They are shocked because they say all the officers are law abiding and they have not had any negative reports about any particular officer. They want to know where that came from. They were not aware of any such investigations,” he said.

“We don’t know what report they (PCA officials) got and from whom. If the people who are reporting things have evidence to back it up, that’s a different story.”

Kwesi Thomas, the deputy mayor of Point Fortin, said he was unaware of the allegations and the investigation. He could not provide further information because he said he was in a meeting.

Many police officers said they had made inquiries with the three companies, and that officers only became aware of the allegations and investigation after the PCA’s press release.

Requests for comment to the city council went unanswered.

The PCA encourages anyone with information to contact the authority at 226-4722, email [email protected] or visit the office on Floor 24, Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, 1A Wrightson Road in Port of Spain.