A police corporal assigned to an elite unit is expected to be charged after he reportedly "lost" a police-issued machine-gun on Saturday night.
After extensive searches headed by acting Police Commissioner James Philbert, the high-powered weapon was found in Princes Town late Sunday. The weapon, police said, was reportedly found in the possession of a man at the time of the search. It is reported that the officer in question fled from an unmarked police car after a man armed with a stone pelted the vehicle. In the process, the officer told police he "accidentally left" the weapon behind. Philbert, who yesterday described the incident as "disturbing," said the story the officer reported "did not add up."
"The account the officer gave did not add up and as a result of that, an investigation was launched following which several things were revealed," Philbert said. The officer in his 30s and who holds close to ten years' service, claimed that while he was about to "turn" into a road in south Trinidad on Saturday night, a man armed with a stone pelted the police car, resulting in the windscreen being shattered. Police sources said the officer is expected to be charged with making a false report, misbehaviour in public office, malicious damage to a police vehicle and failing to secure the gun and ammunition from theft.