Police Service Social and Welfare Association president, acting ASP Michael Seales, says there’s no reason why Sgt Mark Hernandez should not head the newly-formed Special Operations Response Team (SORT) given his qualifications.
However, he said if there’s damning evidence upon the conclusion of a current audit at Angostura Limited, where Hernandez is among people under scrutiny, then charges should be laid against the officer.
“If there’s evidence of wrongdoing on his (Hernandez’s) part, the association will not call for his removal from the unit but for charges to be laid,” Seales told the T&T Guardian yesterday after information surfaced that Hernandez was the head of the new SORT.
“It’s not enough for the probe to say what has been done wrong but it must also signal what he has done wrong. If there is any possible collusion, then the Commissioner of Police is triggered, then the association is triggered.”
Three lucrative contracts awarded to Hernandez’s MH Tactical Response Groups are now the subject of an audit by Angostura.
Angostura CEO Genevieve Jodhan is also subject of the probe having authorised the contracts. Jodhan, who has opted to proceed on 20 days vacation leave effective October 29, has maintained that her authorisation of the contracts, valued at $2.2 million, to MH Tactical and two subsidiaries—New Order Security Services (NOSS) and Corporate Asset Management (CAP)—were above board. Another contract to Building Spaces Ltd is also under review, according to company officials.
However, Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith said he had conducted an investigation into the award of Angostura contracts to the companies owned by Hernandez and found no breach of police regulation on the part of the officer.
Hernandez, an SRP, reportedly played a critical role in the rescue of kidnap victim Natalie Pollanais in September and other covert operations.
Asked yesterday whether Hernandez is the best man to head the new SORT unit, Seales agreed, saying the association has no issue with Hernandez in the performance of his duties. He said Hernandez’ performance has also never been called into question.
“The association knows of his abilities and what he has contributed to, not only to the Police Service but to the national security landscape. Based on the tenants of the unit he is the best one to head it because he has the requisite knowledge and skills. The probe is a probe of Angostura, not of Mr Hernandez,” Seales said.
“The Commissioner has already cleared him (Hernandez) in terms of him having the necessary approvals to conduct his private affairs in the way he has done, so for the association to even step out to say it’s an issue will be kind of foolhardy. We wouldn’t go there.
“This shouldn’t impact on his existence in the Police Service because there has not been a caption of wrongdoing on his part.”
On whether he believed Hernandez’s name has been sullied, Seales said there is not enough evidence to draw this conclusion.
“But what has been alleged has to be properly ventilated and what has been put in the public domain circles around the issue of approvals by the CEO and has nothing to do nothing to do with him. It’s just unfortunate that it involves his company,” Seales said.