THE Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has launched a probe into the collapse of two court cases involving 12 police officers.
In a release on Thursday, it expressed concern over the lack of prosecution witnesses and evidence, noting that these serious criminal cases were initially handled by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).
The PCA’s media release pointed out that the dismissals are part of a long-standing issue, with numerous referrals for disciplinary action and repeated advice to police commissioners over 13 years.
“These investigations involve instances where police complainants fail to appear in court, comply with directives, or follow standing orders,” the PCA stated.
Consequently, these cases have been submitted to the PCA’s investigative and legal units.
Five officers from the Northern Division Task Force were acquitted of extortion and misconduct charges at the Port-of-Spain High Court on Tuesday. The court discharged the officers after the prosecution repeatedly failed to present sufficient evidence.
The officers—PC Jabari Mc Intyre, PC Kevin Gomez, WPC Latifah Lezama, PC Keenen Williams, and PC Evans Mitchell—were accused of soliciting $30,000 and five pounds of marijuana from a couple during a search at their Five Rivers, Arouca home on November 2, 2022.
They were charged alongside PC Kiran Morang and PC Nicholas Raghoobar. While the five were freed, the cases against Morang and Raghoobar are ongoing, with a ruling expected on November 25.
Attorney Renuka Rambhajan, representing the officers, successfully argued that the State failed to meet the evidentiary threshold, despite having three opportunities to do so.
And on Monday, seven police officers accused of extorting businessmen in Sangre Grande have been discharged by a High Court master due to prosecution delays.
The officers—Insp Deyal Ramlakhan, acting Cpl Shaheed Khan, PC Davanan Ragbir, PC Jason Osouna, PC Macai Joseph, PC Cleon Smith, and PC Reyon Charles—were facing charges of misbehaviour in public office and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Master Sarah De Silva made the decision after the prosecution failed twice to comply with court directions. The charges were not dismissed, meaning they could be re-laid in the future.
