ATTORNEY: POLICE OFFICERS’ ACTION UNWARRANTED ON WRECKING
Attorney Martin George says the actions of police officers to pull a woman out of her vehicle, as it was being wrecked on Charlotte Street in Port of Spain, were unnecessary and the woman should have been allowed to move her vehicle.
The woman, Julia Persad, received $5,000 bail when she appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday to answer charges of obstruction of police officers in the execution of duties and resisting arrest in relation to the incident on Tuesday.
Speaking with C News on Wednesday, Mr. George said while working with the wrecker, officers are not carrying out any duties as traffic police.
As such, he said their function is to provide law and order when the wrecker carries out its duties. Attorney George wants police officers to get sensitivity training for such incidents.
“What you see occurring is these police officers sitting down in the front seat of the wrecker vehicles to provide law enforcement services for these wrecker drivers. If the police officer is there to provide that, then it is not a case where you could say that the woman who is trying to move her car to prevent it from being wrecked, so in other words, if her car is illegally parked and she comes out and is trying to remove her vehicle then she should be allowed to remove her vehicle because you are not there as a traffic police on the beat.”
Mrs. Persad will reappear in court on February 17th for disclosure and a trial date.
* The following statement was also issued by her Attorney:
At this time the matter is before the courts and as such it would be inappropriate for my client to comment.
It should be noted however that my client holds no animosity toward the police officers or the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
My client whole heartedly on unreservedly maintains her innocence and we will be vigorously pursuing this matter in the courts.
In this age of social media perhaps the time has come for citizens to discuss the introduction of technological equipment, such as body cameras,which are currently being used in other jurisdiction to protect the parties involved. These types of technologies can ensure that in the execution of their duties police officers are held to the highest ideals of the society and the highest standards of Law.
It should be noted that Mrs Persad has been traumatised by this series of events, and is not accustomed to the level of attention that she has received from the media and well wishers alike. While she is thankful for the support she has received she wishes to ask that her privacy and that of family be respected.
Written by C News