Police continuing probe in Partap matter: Williams

Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams told reporters on Wednesday it is possible that police could still charge former minister in the Ministry of National Security Collin Partap for failing to take a breathalyser test. 

“I would confirm there is a possibility for the then Minister Partap to be charged for the offence,” he said. Williams said police are continuing their investigations into the matter and when the probe is completed police would present a file to Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard for him to decide if any charges should be laid for Partap.

Williams confirmed that Partap contacted him on Sunday morning complaining of a confrontation with a group of police officers. 

The minister of National Security, Jack Warner, stated in media release on Monday that Partap’s request for Williams’ presence at the police station was “injudicious, unnecessary and inappropriate.” 

Williams agreed. "The officers, from my assessment, conducted themselves in a professional manner that we expect police officers to conduct themselves.”

He also explained why he went to the station. "As commissioner, I have access to every single police building...I am responsible for taking decisions as I see fit which are within the law and reasonable," he stated.

He said police let Partap leave the station after his test showed a result of 28 microgrammes of alcohol for every 100 millilitres of breath which was well below the legal alcohol limit of 35 microgrammes. 

Williams added that police told Partap that his original refusal to take the test would be investigated. “The investigation...should be completed within the shortest period of time, recognising that there is great interest by the media,” Williams said.