President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Anand Ramesar is calling for a investigation into the health and safety conditions at the Aranguez South Police Facility after several officers assigned to the facility recently contracted lung ailments.In an interview yesterday, Ramesar said one of the officers, identified only as officer Singh, died at hospital last month because of a lung condition.
The facility, which houses the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) and officers of several other divisions is located on Garden Road, Aranguez South. The building houses approximately 300 officers."The officers are very suspicious of the environment and are concerned over the levels of uncleanliness," Ramesar added.He said he recently raised the issue with acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams who promised to investigate their concerns. However, he said, he was still awaiting a response.
Ramesar said although there were only a few officers who had developed serious conditions, many were complaining of allergies and breathing problems.He said: "Some are saying that their allergies are being triggered by that environment."Ramesar said over the past few months his association had received reports from three other officers who complained of similar symptoms.
"Just this week, one officer was hospitalised. Last week, another officer came off sick leave after suffering form a similar lung ailment which afflicted Mr Singh," Ramesar said. (DA)