Police: No collusion in Tobago audio-clip probe

Acting deputy commissioner of police intelligence and investigation Curt Simon denies allegations of police collusion in the investigation into an audio recording involving members of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

Speaking at a press conference at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on Thursday, he said the police were investigating in a professional, ethical and lawful manner.

He said they were not colluding with the government or any other public entity to remove anyone from public office, nor did anyone motivate the TTPS to launch an investigation.

Simon was referring to the alleged secret recording of Akil Abdullah during a private meeting with THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine. In the recording, Abdullah claimed he and high-ranking government and police officials were part of a conspiracy to destabilise the THA executive.

Simon said he was aware of additional video and audio recordings in the public domain, and that they were of concern to members of the public. As a result, the police intended to widen their net in the investigation.

“The TT Police Service at this stage wishes to continue continually de ny and refute these allegations.

"Further, we are investigating certain reports and certainly, based on what is going on within our investigations and what is being bandied about, we do see that there is a possibility that we would widen the net of our investigations for these are things that you are concerned about.

“And of course, our investigative approach always involves analysis of statements, verifying veracity of content, verifying originality of source and all of these things, which you may not be interested in.”

He said the investigators were paying attention to the additional recordings and verifying them but they would not affect the initial investigation, which he described as streamlined, focused and structured.

He did not comment on any of Abdullah’s claims that he was forced to confess to bribery and conspiracy, that he was physically threatened, or whether or not he sought protection from the police.

“Not every investigation can be quickly wrapped up, and bear with us as we continue. But we are confident that we will resolve the entire issue and we will share that, of course, with you, the public, and the media.”

On the situation at Scorpion Alley, Carenage, where there have been three double murders in three weeks, Simon said the police “suspect and understand the involvement of gang activity” in the situation and have been responding to it.

He said there was a high-profile meeting about the situation on Tuesday, that an AR rifle was recently seized in the area, and the TTPS was working with the Defence Force.

“We have drawn on our resources, our intelligence resources, our patrol function, our investigative function, to really respond and react to that. And we really hope to bring some calm back to that area.”