35 police sent on leave; Williams orders probe

Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams on Monday sent 35 police officers on "administrative leave" with immediate effect.

They are members assigned to the Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force (ROPTF). Williams appointed the head of the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU), Snr Supt John Martinez, to take control of the ROPTF.

Williams also ordered Martinez and Acting ASP Sahadeo Singh, of the Besson Street CID, to conduct an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct against ROPTF officers.

Williams met with the officers Monday to discuss details of the allegations, which were published in the Sunday Express.

Read thee report: Express report uncovers collusion between police and criminal gangs

"Any allegations of corruption or serious allegations against police officers are something which we address as a matter of priority," Williams told the Trinidad Express Monday.

He added, "The police executive would have addressed the issue surrounding the Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force, and we have in fact launched an investigation, which will in fact be headed by Snr Supt Martinez, with a clear mandate to complete a total audit, assessment and complete investigation in relation to all matters relating to allegations that have been highlighted against the Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force."

Williams said he has no information about similar investigations launched by retired acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert and retired acting deputy Commissioner of Police Gilbert Reyes.

Martinez and Singh will have to report back to Williams within 30 days. By that time, Canadian Dwayne Gibbs would have taken up his position as Trinidad and Tobago's new police commissioner.