No replacement for SORT head yet

NO ONE has been appointed as yet to replace Insp Mark Hernandez as head of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), after Hernandez was charged on Monday.

It is mandatory for police officers to be suspended from duty once they are facing criminal charges.

Newsday was told the position will remain vacant until it is filled by Police Commissioner, Gary Griffith.

Calls to Griffith went unanswered on Tuesday.

Hernandez, who is out on $300,000 bail for misbehaviour in public office, was one of three men nominated for the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police. His nomination was to have been debated in Parliament before approval, but as a result of his being charged that will not happen, leaving room for another nominee to be selected by the Police Service Commission.

So far only three names were submitted: Hernandez, Mc Donald Jacob, who was confirmed earlier this month and Supt Andre Norton.

Asked about the debate, given Hernandez’s current legal woes, Leader of Government Business Camille Robinson-Regis said: "In those circumstances it can go no further."

The charge against Hernandez, a 23-year veteran, is linked to a complaint by David Ottley Jr, who claimed he was beaten while in custody. He was detained by police during the investigation into the kidnapping and murder of court clerk Andrea Bharatt.

According to the charge, Hernandez is accused of encouraging the alleged assault against Ottley.

There is a separate investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau into the deaths of murder suspects Andrew Morris and Joel Balcon, who were also held during the investigation of Bharatt's murder and later died in police custody.