...Police link under probe
ACTING COMMISSIONER of Police McDonald Jacob has disclosed that 100 people were processed on Sunday in connection with the boat incident and allowed to leave pending investigations.
'They were allowed to leave with the intention to continue police investigations. Insp Ramjattan of the Carenage police is spearheading the probe,' he told the Express yesterday, Asked if the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) will also investigate since reports that officers from the Western Division were present at the event providing security, Jacob said, 'No, I am not aware of that. I was not guided or briefed by the operational head. However, once it is verified and if factual, we will immediately assign PSB to the matter. The matter is sub judice and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is guiding. This matter is not complete and remains under investigation, at the end of which the outcome will soon be made public.'
Sources told the Express that a police inspector attached to the Western Division has frequently partnered with a businessman to throw boat rides. In several instances detectives attached to this division moonlight as security.
On Sunday, however, several officers who were off duty reported to the Carenage station claiming they were following up on enquiries within the division and needed their firearms, sources said. They then boarded the vessel and took up duties, sources said.
Sources further told the Express that when other officers descended upon the boat and shuttled patrons to the Carenage Police Station, several patrons pointed out the off-duty officers they said were screening them prior to boarding.
At least two of the off-duty officers were in the process of recording statements from patrons and were stopped from proceeding by a senior officer, sources said.
'FLOATING RESTAURANT': The Ocean Pelican on which over 100 people were found partying in Chaguaramas on Boxing Night. Partying on pleasure craft is illegal under the Public Health Regulations.
