Airport guard suspended

UPDATE:

A SECURITY guard with the Airports Authority was suspended for two weeks without pay over an allegation that he was discourteous to two government ministers on September 20.

The guard, identified as Kelvon Alexander, took his concerns to the Estate Police Association (EPA), of which he is a member, and an investigation by the association found he committed no offence.

EPA president Deryck Richardson confirmed the suspension and said the issue has now progressed further.

“The matter was referred to the EPA. It is now in the grievance procedure stage. When there is an incident of any discipline, there is a procedure. That letter would have been given to the EPA, matter has been referred to the EPA in accordance with the agreement between the EPA and the Airports Authority.”

Richardson added “We view this as another instance of the Airports Authority being high-handed in dealing with estate police officers.

He added, “Seeing that the matter is at the grievance procedure stage I do not wish to comment further.”

Nevertheless, he reiterated “ The Airport Authority has developed a reputation of dealing unfairly with the Estate Police Association and their employees.”

Alexander was reportedly on duty around 9.40 am when Minister of Foreign Affairs Dennis Moses and Minister of Planning and Development Camille Robinson-Regis tried to leave the Duty free section of Piarco Airport through a controlled-access door in an area known as Post 3.
CCTV footage showed Alexander had a brief conversation with Moses. There was no audiotape of the conversation. In the letter suspending him, the Airports Authority wrote, “While you were correct in advising the ministers that they could not exit the airport via that door, further review of CCTV footage suggests that your conduct in this matter was discourteous, injudicious and fell below the standard of professional judgement and customer service expected of members of the security force. The contents of your report do not offer a satisfactory explanation for your behaviour.”

The letter revealed: “Public figures such as the two ministers regularly transit the airport and their photographs are prominently displayed at the centralised security checkpoint. As a member of he airports security force you are expected to be able to recognise members of the Cabinet of TT and to facilitate their requests or enquiries in a courteous and professional matter. Your conduct has caused considerable embarrassment to the Airports Authority of TT.”

It remained unclear yesterday whether Alexander’s suspension came about because of complaints made by the two ministers. Newsday tried to reach both ministers on their mobile phones but calls went unanswered.

ORIGINAL STORY:

A security guard with the Airports Authority was suspended for two weeks without pay over an allegation that he was discourteous to two government ministers on September 20.

The guard, identified as Kelvon Alexander, took his concerns to the Estate Police Association (EPA), of which he is a member, and an investigation by the association found he committed no offence.

President of the Estate Police Association Deryck Richardson confirmed the suspension and said the issue has now progressed further.

“The matter was referred to the EPA. It is now in the grievance procedure stage. When there is an incident of any discipline, there is a procedure. That letter would have been given to the EPA, matter has been referred to the EPA in accordance with the agreement between the EPA and the Airports Authority.”

Richardson added “We view this as another instance of the Airports Authority being high-handed in dealing with estate police officers.

He added, "Seeing that the matter is at the grievance procedure stage I do not wish to comment further.”

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