News Desk
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith has responded to a Sunday Express article which suggests that video footage provided to it by the CEO of the Drug Sou Sou Kerron Clarke, was that of an officer of the T&T Police Service apparently stuffing money into his tactical uniform during the raid on Clarke’s office at La Horquetta last Tuesday.
Just a short while ago, Griffith rebutted suggestions that the officer seen in the video was an officer of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT). Rather, Griffith said the officer, who can be clearly seen stuffing cash into his uniform inside one of the rooms during the raid, was from a supporting team from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) which was also part of the raid. The incident was apparently caught by a hidden camera in the room.
Griffith made the late-night response after the video which surfaced with the report brought ridicule from social media against members of the TTPS, in particular members of the Special Operations Response Team, a unit handpicked by Griffith himself which had spearheaded the raid.
Griffith said, "As long as I sit in this chair, a badge or uniform would not protect you from wrongdoing."
Following is the Commissioner's statement on the matter:
In the usual haste by a certain reporter to attempt to discredit the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (this being her 42nd consecutive negative article on TTPS), and in total contrast to what is being stated, the individual in the video and photograph being circulated is NOT an Officer of the TTPS. He is NOT a member of SORT. He is NOT a Special Reserve Police Officer (SRP). He is in fact a serving member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force who was part of the operation, which is usually done in a similar fashion to the IATF Operations.
The uniform worn as seen in the photograph and video is also NOT SORT but TTDF. As with all allegations, the TTPS will investigate to ascertain what was in the envelope by the TTDF soldier, as it has not been verified as yet what was in the envelope. What is noted in this unfortunate incident, is yet again the thirst by some to label TTPS in a negative light without getting the facts.