[UPDATED] PoS man slapped with 3 charges

MARC ANTHONY JOSEPH, who was arrested after assaulting a police officer last Friday, will appear before a Port of Spain Magistrate virtually on Tuesday after being slapped with charges for resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and littering charges.

Joseph was at the corner of Queen and George Streets last Friday while police were conducting an exercise in which they were issuing tickets for failure to properly use masks.

Newsday understands an officer tried to issue Joseph a ticket and he protested and threw the ticket away.

The officer returned to give him the citation. Joseph protested again causing the police officer put his hand on him. He then slapped the officer.

Other police officers assisted the one who was slapped and Joseph was eventually detained.

He was expected to appear virtually before a magistrate on Monday but the magistrate could not take the case. The matter was postponed to Tuesday.

According to the Police Service Act, a person who assaults a police officer, or resists him, or a person assisting a police officer while he is executing his duty, can face a summary conviction of a fine of $10,000 and up to two years’ jail time.

In the past two months, police have issued more than 1,573 tickets and have arrested 78 people for breaching public health regulations.

This story was originally published with the title "No charge yet for man who slapped PoS police
" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A man who was arrested after slapping a police officer who was issuing him a ticket is still in custody, according to police sources.

Newsday was told investigations into the matter are still ongoing and no charges had been laid.

Newsday understands on Friday afternoon the man was at the corner of Queen and George Streets when a police officer tried to issue him a ticket for the improper use of a mask.

The man protested and when the officer put his hand on him, he slapped the officer.

Other police officers then assisted and the man was eventually arrested.

The incident was captured on tape and shared on social media.

According to the Police Service Act, a person who assaults a police officer, or resists him, or a person assisting a police officer while he is executing his duty, can face a summary conviction of a fine of $10,000 and up to two years’ jail time.

In the past two months police issued more than 1,573 tickets and arrested 78 people for breaching public health regulations.