PORT OF SPAIN – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) says is seeking to contract a team of prosecutors from the United Kingdom specialising in fraud and fraud-related matters.
The TTPS said that the team will assist local investigators probing such matters as well as provide training for the Legal Unit and police prosecutors.
In a statement, the police said that this initiative will optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of the TTPS toward promoting public trust and confidence noting also the implementation of a new Monitoring and Compliance Unit aimed at providing overall operational efficiency, in keeping with international professional standards.
The statement said that the unit within the Legal Department will treat with several areas including the numerous cases of police officers not attending court; to follow up on Freedom of Information requests (FIO) and ensure the timely compliance with these requests.
It will also in comprehensively trace, track and report on all court matters to ensure court orders are adhered to within the appropriate time frame and to effectively and efficiently manage over 180 outstanding matters regarding police promotions and sick leave.
In addition, it will help in the review the matters of 300 police officers who are on suspension, alongside the Professional Standards Bureau, to have these officers either returned to work or sent home based on the outcomes of their outstanding matters.
Meanwhile, the TTPS Cyber Crime Unit is warning members of the public against engaging in conduct which could be defined as online harassment, noting that “such actions are not only unlawful but also causes great distress to the victims”.
It said reports of online harassment and cyber bullying are being investigated reminding the public that acts of such as “following, making visual recordings of, stopping or accosting the persons” or acting “in any other way that could reasonably be expected to alarm or cause the person distress” are offences Against the Persons Act and could result in fines of TT$2 000 and to imprisonment of six months on summary conviction. (CMC)