Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs yesterday sent a stern message to his charges bent on moonlighting. There have been repeated complaints by members of the public that some officers were using police vehicles to conduct illegal activities outside their working hours. Gibbs was addressing members of the media outside the West End Police Station in Diego Martin yesterday during a lockdown of the area.
Saying police officers were granted powers under the laws of T&T, Gibbs said any abuse of that power could lead to investigation and internal and criminal charges. "There is no rule for officers to abuse their authority that's given to them," he said. "They're held in high public trust...The public demands that and they must maintain that public trust."
He said internal disciplinary matters involving police officers were taking place, adding: "At this point there are and will be members suspended. "By working together with the public we gain strength and I hope citizens would come forward and know they can trust us to listen to their complaints and we are going to act on the information," Gibbs said.
Regarding the allegations that some officers had been bypassed for promotion although their names were placed on a merit list, Gibbs said all names were being considered. "We look at all the people on the list to ensure they belong on the list and they remain on the list," he said. "If they have been bypassed we look at why...It is a process to promote the best people."