[UPDATED] Four cops suspended, 11 transferred in sou-sou probe

As investigations continue into the seizure and return of $22 million in cash from the home of the "Drugs Sou Sou" (DSS) administrator, four police officers have been suspended and another 11 are expected to be transferred.

On September 22, police from various units including the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Northern Division and the Financial Investigations Branch searched a house on Kathleen Warner Drive, La Horquetta, where they seized the cash.

Hours later, the money was returned without the knowledge of investigators.

In a police media release on Thursday, Commissioner Gary Griffith said it was necessary to suspend the four officers, two of whom are senior officers.

He also directed that four others are to be transferred out of the Northern Division and seven Special Reserve Police (SRP) officers transferred to the Northern Division Area West.

Speaking with Newsday on Thursday, Griffith said while he was not happy to make such a decision, it was necessary to preserve the integrity of the investigation. He said one of the officers who was suspended had already interfered.

"It gives me no pleasure when I have to take such action when it involves having to suspend officers, transferring them or even having charges laid on them at times but it is something that has to be done if required.

"The actions I saw by certain police officers were totally unacceptable, and without targeting any specific officer, what was happening, even while the investigation was ongoing, there was interference that was affecting us in our investigation. So I took the necessary action."

Griffith said certain issues were being caused by the officers, but not to damage or mislead the direction of the investigation.

He said for now the officers in question would be the subject of an internal probe, but noted the possibility of criminal charges being brought against them if evidence became available.

"More suspensions can take place, as well as arrests, but we are taking it one step at a time. It must not be seen as a witch hunt.

"But I am giving the assurance to the public that no type of misconduct by the police would be covered up."

Griffith also insisted there was need for investigate the source of the funds obtained by DSS administrators, and vowed that a transparent enquiry will be done.

"We are doing a thorough investigation, through several different units in the polic,e from the Special Branch, the PSB (Professional Standards Bureau) and the FIB, and there are a number of different avenues we are looking at, from every single perspective to ascertain how much criminal action could have been taken by people in and out of uniform."

Griffith said of the four officers who were suspended and the 11 who were transferred, none were members of SORT, who led the raid on the house.

On Wednesday the Police Service Commission launched a Confidence and Satisfaction Survey to gauge public perception of the police. The survey, which will take from October 14-November 4, will be available online.

Since 2018, over 150 police officers have been charged or suspended.

In June it was reported that police officers involved in the killing of 27-year-old Israel Clinton, 44-year-old Noel Diamond and 43-year-old Joel Jacob had been put on administrative duty.

In September DCP Irwin Hackshaw was suspended as a criminal investigation against him began. Hackshaw is accused of collecting over $2 million from a group of business owners.

On October 7, Snr Supt Peter Dominique was charged with indecent assault and serious indecency against a female police officer.

Contacted for comment, president of the police Social Welfare Association Insp Gideon Dickson said while he did not know much about the decision, he felt the CoP had acted appropriately.

"The commissioner is exercising his administrative powers under the Constitution. He was within his remit to do what he needs to do from an adminstrative standpoint, and if there is an investigation, we want very much that fairness is given to all."

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

As investigations into the seizure and return of $22 million in cash from the home of the "Drugs Sou Sou" (DSS) administrator continues, four police officers have been suspended and another 11 are expected to be transferred.

In a police media release on Thursday, Commissioner Gary Griffith said it was necessary to suspend the four officers, two of whom are senior officers.

He also directed that four others are to be transferred out of the Northern Division and seven Special Reserve Police (SRP) transferred to the Northern Division Area West.

Griffith said the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) had been mandated to enquire into the return of the cash and followed the advice of investigators by removing certain officers from the investigations for maximum transparency.

Investigations are being led by a team under the supervision of DCP Intelligence and Investigations McDonald Jacob.

On September 22, officers from the Special Operations Response Team, the Northern Division and the Financial Investigations Bureau went to a house on Kathleen Warner Drive, La Horquetta, where they detained several people and seized $22 million in cash.

Hours later, the cash was returned to the administrators of the sou sou, without the knowledge of investigators.