Four police officers appeared before the San Fernando Masters’ Court on Wednesday charged with offences relating to misbehaviour in public office.
The matter was heard by Master Bethelmy and was postponed to April 23.
The officers charged are Police Constable Mervyn Eligon, Police Constable Daawuud Mohammed, Police Constable Alexsi Harripersad and Police Constable Akiel Smith.
Police Constable Eligon was charged with misbehaviour in public office with intent to pervert the course of public justice, and misbehaviour in public office with intent to pervert the course of public justice by falsely representing that he recovered a firearm.
Police Constable Eligon, Police Constable Mohammed, Police Constable Harripersad and Police Constable Smith were also jointly charged with misbehaviour in public office by conspiracy with intent to pervert the course of public justice by concealing the finding of a firearm and ammunition.
Bail with surety was granted as follows: Police Constable Eligon $275,000 to cover all charges, Police Constable Mohammed $150,000, Police Constable Harripersad $150,000 and Police Constable Smith $150,000.
Police stated that on January 5 a report was made to the Professional Standards Bureau regarding the conduct of the officers.
Investigations stated that on December 31 Police Constable Eligon went to a location in South Trinidad after midnight with a party of officers including Police Constable Harripersad, Police Constable Mohammed and Police Constable Smith.
Police reported that during a search of the premises officers found a firearm and ammunition inside a black plastic bag secured within a storage box in a garage area.
Officers later returned to the Princes Town Police Station and reported that nothing illegal had been found during the exercise and made an entry in the station diary.
Police stated that officers later made an entry alleging that a firearm was found at another location.
Police stated that the Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard SC advised that the officers be charged.
