Transfer of cops may be illegal

THE EDITOR: Having read and listened to comments in the media about the transfer of 25 police officers who refused to take a polygraph test (lie detector test), I am entitled to add my two cents.

I have heard comments like, “If they have nothing to hide why be afraid,” and “The Police Commissioner has a right to move them as he wants to know if he can trust them.”

According to the law, before one is subjected to polygraph testing he/she must first be verbally briefed on exactly what is polygraph test. Participation is voluntarily, there is no punishment for refusal to take the test, and one is presumed innocent by law unless proven otherwise.

Polygraphing is an investigative tool and must be supported by further evidence to come to a decision one way or the other.

If the process mentioned above was not carried and the refusal of the officers to take the test resulted in their transfer, then that would be deemed to be punishment and illegal.

And that would be a breach of their constitutional rights.

ATHELSTON CLINTON, Arima

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"Transfer of cops may be illegal"

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