[UPDATED] Investigators to quiz cops in misconduct probe

Eight police officers who were arrested on Friday by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) in connection with allegations of misconduct are expected to be interviewed by investigators this weekend.

Police said the officers, all assigned to the Eastern Division Task Force, were taken into custody in connection with an investigation into the theft of money from at least five businesses which operated illegal gambling in Sangre Grande, Biche and Mayaro.

The ranks of the officers include an inspector, sergeant, corporal and constables, police said. None of the officers were suspended from active duty during the month-long investigation, police said.

Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher had ordered an immediate investigation after a video was shared online showing officers, dressed in uniform, and armed with service-issued weapons taking cash from a business.

None of the officers were wearing body cameras although task force officers are among frontline officers who are assigned such equipment.

In some cases, investigators said the business operators were charged with illegal gambling but not all of the money seized had been tendered into court as evidence.

PSB investigators led by Snr Supt Suzette Martin sought the advice of Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, SC, before she and her team detained the officers.

The unit is responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency and efficiency of all investigations and criminal complaints made against the police.

Harewood-Christopher had pleaded with the public to come forward with any information in the matter, and noted that earlier reports made to the PSB about similar matters involving officers were also being investigated.

The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) was also involved in the investigations.

In a statement on March 20, the PCA noted that they initiated an independent investigation into the incident.

On March 20, the same day the video was shared online, with a note accusing the officers of misconduct, Snr Supt Roger Alexander – an official spokesperson for the police – on the Beyond the Tape programme chastised people who were jumping to conclusions based on "misleading and misinformed" information.

Alexander said the facts revealed officers of the Sangre Grande Police Station had received information that an illegal play whe operation was being done at a businessplace close to the station, and they acted.

He said $10,000 had been seized during the exercise and a Venezuelan national had been charged with operating an illegal gambling house.

Alexander claimed the head of the Eastern Division, Snr Supt Ryan Khan, had done an investigation into the allegations made against the officers.

He said the comments on social media were "unfair to the police officers" and questioned whether allegations against the officers were meant to stop the police from doing their work.

Alexander said the money seized was an exhibit in the case against the alleged offender and pleaded with the public to "get the facts" before making unfounded claims.

A release issued by the police, on February 11, said a 25-year-old Venezuelan woman was arrested for operating illegal gaming houses in Sangre Grande by officers of the Eastern Division Task Force during an operation on February 10.

The release said the officers conducted several operations at bars in the Sangre Grande district. In one instance, they observed a bartender and later seized $10,060.

The same officers also arrested a 49-year-old woman of Arima for also operating an illegal gambling business at a Chinese restaurant in the district. The release said the officers seized $4,970 in that raid.

This story was originally published with the title "8 cops detained in misconduct probe" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

Eight police officers who were arrested on Friday by the Professional Standards Bureau in connection with allegations of misconduct are expected to be interviewed by investigators this weekend.

Police said the officers, all attached to the Eastern Division Task Force, were taken into custody in connection with an investigation into the theft of money from at least five businesses which operated illegal gambling businesses in Sangre Grande, Biche and Mayaro.

The ranks of the officers include an inspector, sergeant, corporal and constables, police said. None of the officers were suspended from active duty during the month-long investigation, police said.

Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher had ordered an immediate investigation after a video was shared online showing police officers, dressed in uniform, and armed with service issued weapons, were seen taking cash from a business.

None of the officers were wearing body worn cameras although Task Force officers are among frontline officers who are assigned such equipment.

In some cases, investigators said the business operators were charged with operating illegal gambling operations but not all of the money seized had been tendered into court as evidence.

PSB investigators led by Snr Supt Suzette Martin had sought the advice of Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC before she and her team detained the officers.

The unit of the police service is responsible for ensuring the integrity, transparency and efficiency of all investigations and criminal complaints made against police officers.

Harewood-Christopher had pleaded with the public to come forward with any information in the matter and noted that earlier reports made to the PSB about similar matters involving officers were also being investigated.

The Police Complaints Authority was also involved in the investigations.

In a statement on March 20, the PCA noted that they initiated an independent investigation into the incident under Section 26 of the PCA Act, Chapter 15:05.