Director of the Public Affairs Unit of the Police Service, Sharon Lee Assang, says she was only reading what was placed in front of her when she said citizens who were caught in their yards, porches or galleries could be arrested under the state of emergency regulations. Lee Assang said so at yesterday's news conference at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain. She was referring to the Emergency Powers Regulations Section 4, 1c which "prohibits any person being out of doors between such hours as may be specified, except under the authority of a written permit granted by such authority or persons as may be specified."
Lee Assang said the service was seeking legal advice after complaints citizens could be arrested if found out of doors during curfew hours. At the briefing yesterday, a heated argument flared between reporters and Lee Assang who had been under fire since she made the statement at last Monday's police news conference.
It was brought to Lee Assang's attention that she said: "Outside is outside and the law is clear. "I was only reading what was on a piece of paper. I cannot interpret the law. I am not a lawyer. I would not interpret the statement.
"I read the clause which speaks on out of doors. It didn't make a distinction. I read what was said. The Ministry of National Security has brought clarification to its interpretation and we will leave it as that," Assang said. At Tuesday's sitting of the Senate, National Security Minister John Sandy said her statements were made in error and citizens were not in breach of the law if they were on their premises. However, the Police Service Social and Welfare Association said it was not satisfactory for a civilian to be spokesman for the Police Service.Yesterday, at the daily press conference, Assang spoke only about community events, parenting groups and police youth clubs. She said she was trying to take "a different, positive slant today and I thought it would be prudent to inform the public."