Trinidad cop facing probe over leaked video

(Trinidad Express) Another officer from the St Joseph Police Station is facing disciplinary action based on content that was leaked online.

This time, a video was released on social media yesterday in which a police constable is seen slapping away a phone from a ­civilian’s hand.

The Express was informed by senior officers in the T&T Police Service (TTPS) that the constable was attached to the St Joseph Police Station.

They noted that proceedings against the officer had already begun, and the conduct was described as “unacceptable and disappointing”.

While the faces of persons in the video could be seen, police are still trying to determine when the incident occurred.

This incident came just a few days after another police officer from the St Joseph Police Station faced disciplinary proceedings over how she spoke to a civilian who had contacted the station to report a house-breaking at his ­residence.

The audio clip, which is 40 seconds long, was leaked to social media sites last week Thursday. In it, a woman police constable could be heard talking to a man who indicated that his home and been broken into.

He explained that his wife had called about two hours prior to report the robbery, and that they had been told that someone would contact them.

The WPC, on hearing this, said, “So what y’all doing? Sitting down at home waiting for the police to call alya? You don’t know where the station is?”

The man, in shock by the ­response, simply told the woman thanks.

She is expected to be brought before a tribunal of senior officers to respond to her actions.

In a press release issued that day, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher said the TTPS would not be condoning poor customer service, adding that it has been investing substantially in improving its service delivery to the public and strongly condemns any instance of poor customer service by police officers during the conduct of their duties.

The public was also advised that senior officers at all police stations are responsible for ensuring all reports made, whether by telephone or in person, are accurately and immediately recorded and that officers take prompt ­action where necessary.

Members of the public not satisfied that this protocol is being followed are advised to immediately seek an audience with the officer in charge of the station.