For yet another day, sickout action by police officers from the Court and Process Branch caused a virtual shutdown of the criminal justice system. Lawmen again stayed away from their jobs dissatisfied at wage negotiations and the recent comments by Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs. They had threatened to repeat the withholding of their services just as they did last week and made good of their threats yesterday. The persistent protests are against a five per cent wage increase being offered by Chief Personnel Officer Stephanie Lewis.
According to court and protocol manager at the judiciary, Jones P Madeira, staff shortages were reported in most of the courts throughout the nation, causing adjournments of criminal cases. The judiciary reported that only prisoners appearing before a magistrate for the first time were taken to the Magistrates' Courts in Port-of-Spain and Chaguanas. In the San Fernando and Couva Magistrates' Courts, there also were staff shortages and no prisoners on remand were taken there, Madeira said.
While there was full attendance of police staff in the Arima, Sangre Grande and Tunapuna Courts, no prisoners were taken to those courts. There was little absenteeism in the Mayaro and Rio Claro courts and operations continued as normal; so too was the case at the High Courts in Port-of-Spain and San Fernando. Shortages also were reported in Siparia but that did not halt operations there.
In Tobago, a full turnout of officers was reported in both the High and Magistrates' Courts. However, three prisoners, who were scheduled to arrive from Trinidad, were not taken there. Madeira said the judiciary continued to ensure that although prisoners were not taken to court, every effort was done to ensure other operations of the various courts continued. "Whenever there is a situation, the judiciary takes steps to ensure there is minimal disruption in service," he added.