Police officer in beating video charged

THE police constable who was arrested on Monday morning after he was caught on tape slapping a man to the face before taking him away in a police vehicle was charged late yesterday evening and will appear before a Port of Spain magistrate this morning.

The officer, who was arrested at his home in South Trinidad by officers of the Police Service's Professional Standard Bureau, was positively identified during an identification parade at the Port of Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Officers later sought the advice of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC, who gave the all-clear to lay a charge of misconduct in public office against the officer.

A video recording of the officer slapping the man had gone viral on social networking sites three weeks ago. It showed 40-year-old Terrence Augustine being slapped across the face before being arrested. The incident took place at St Margaret's Junction in Claxton Bay.

Augustine has since been charged with assaulting PC Richard Kishore in the execution of his duties, using insulting language and resisting arrest. He is currently out on bail in the sum of $20,000.

The investigation leading to the arrest of the officer was spearheaded by Acting Assistant Commissioner Solomon Koon Koon and the charge was laid by Sgt Kent Ghisyawan of the Professional Standards Bureau.

Reproduced from Express Trinidad

Suspend Police Officer for Slapping Man

THE Professional Standards Unit of the Police Service has recommended the suspension of the police constable seen on video slapping and arresting a man, who later appeared in court charged with assaulting the police officer.

The constable has taken 28 days sick leave, but the Professional Standards Unit, headed by Senior Supt Solomon Koon Koon, on Wednesday sent correspondence to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams making the recommendation.

Williams had earlier that day described the conduct of the police officer as reprehensible, unacceptable and unprofessional, but said the officer would remain on active duty until the completion of the "high priority" investigation.

The Express was unable to determine if Williams acted on the recommendation yesterday.

The constable is also under investigation by the Police Complaints Authority as a result of the video uploaded to social networking sites last weekend and which showed civilian Terrence Augustine, 40, being slapped and taken away in a police car during an incident at St Margaret's Junction, Claxton Bay, on Independence Day last Friday.

Augustine was charged with resisting arrest, assaulting PC Richard Kishore and using insulting language.

He appeared in court on Monday and was granted $20,000 bail.

Augustine, a building contractor, told the Express on Wednesday he did nothing to provoke the attack and the slap had left him with blurred vision and unable to work.

His attorney, Cedric Neptune, told the Express yesterday he was preparing to serve a pre-action protocol letter on the State, alleging that Augustine was wrongfully arrested, maliciously prosecuted, and that he be compensated for the assault and battery and breach of his constitutional rights.

Augustine also plans to file a criminal counter charge against the officer for assault. Told of the recommendation of the Professional Standards Unit, Neptune said: "This was an unprovoked and unacceptable attack on this man, and we are surprised that the officer has not been suspended already.

article reproduced verbatim from Express Trinidad

Blind Men in TT

He has to be Blind
How Blind can one man be? When the Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson  could say that crime in Trinidad and Tobago is down, is tantamount to deception. I mean These people got to think that we the public is fools, that they come every Monday morning and feed us rubbish as if we're going to believe it. Mr. Richardson take your story and feed hog. Crime is NOT on the decrease. 

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Richardson__Crime_down__we_have_the_figures-158387845.html