Cop charged with misbehaviour in public office

Police constable Aaron McClean is expected to appear before a Port of Spain magistrate charged with misbehaviour in public office after he allegedly removed a woman from the Besson Street Police Station while on duty.

A police release on Saturday said, on July 8, around 1.40 am, the woman went to the Besson Street Police Station to make a report. At the reception area, she encountered two male officers. One of the officers allegedly used an aggressive tone and instructed her to return later to file the report. Shortly after, the same officer allegedly grabbed her and forcefully removed her from the reception area onto the road.

Other officers from the Besson Street station assisted the woman, who was subsequently taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital for medical attention. A medical certificate was later obtained on her behalf.

The woman filed a complaint to the PSB on July 13 and following an investigation led by head of the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB)Snr Supt Suzette Martin, McClean was arrested on July 18 and charged by WPC Cpl Marshall on Friday.

He was also charged with assault occasioning bodily harm.

This comes on the heels of the Prime Minister's proposal of special vetting units to help weed out corrupt police officers, during a political meeting in San Fernando on July 15.

Speaking at the i95.5 Afternoon Drive radio show, on Tuesday, Dr Rowley said his plan to introduce special vetted units to the police service is meant to position TT’s law enforcement to work with US security authorities in the fight against crime.

Despite coming under heavy criticism, Rowley said in order for the US to co-operate with TT on fighting crime, there must be “effective units, meaning groups of special police officers, men and women who are vetted to ensure that their integrity is intact."