标签： Trinidad and Tobago

On November 20, as the world marked International Men’s Day, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Commissioner Allister Guevarro emphasized the organization’s commitment to molding the next generation of men in the nation. In a heartfelt voice message shared on the TTPS Facebook page, Guevarro highlighted the origins of the day, which was founded by Trinidadian academic Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh. He underscored the significance of the occasion as a reminder of Trinidad and Tobago’s leadership in global discussions on discipline, service, and leadership. Guevarro pointed to the country’s rich legacy of producing influential men in academia, culture, and sports, citing figures like Dr. Eric Williams, Sir Ellis Clarke, and ANR Robinson, whose contributions have left indelible marks on the world. He also celebrated icons such as Hasely Crawford, Brian Lara, Dwight Yorke, Ato Boldon, and Nobel laureate VS Naipaul, who have showcased the nation’s excellence on international stages. Guevarro emphasized that International Men’s Day is more than a celebration for the TTPS; it is a call to action. He noted that the TTPS’s motto, ‘to protect and serve with pride,’ provides young men with a sense of belonging, a positive identity, and a pathway away from crime. By instilling values of discipline, respect, and service, the TTPS aims to shape men who will serve their families, communities, and nation with integrity. Guevarro urged citizens to recommit to fostering men of discipline, service, and faith, ensuring every young man understands that greatness is not only possible but expected.

The discovery of a decomposing body in an abandoned Ministry of Agriculture building in Port of Spain, Trinidad, has left authorities puzzled. On November 17, at approximately 6:30 am, an anonymous passerby alerted the Police Command Centre about a foul odor emanating from the old Surveys and Mapping Division building on Wrightson Road. Responding officers, granted access by an MTS official, found the severely decomposed remains of a man inside. The individual, of African descent with a rasta hairstyle, was shirtless and clad in brown long pants. Police noted no visible signs of violence on the body. The district medical officer declared the man dead and ordered the body to be transported to the Forensic Science Centre in St. James for an autopsy. Investigators remain uncertain how the man entered the building, as a lock was found on the front gate during a subsequent visit on November 19, with all doors and windows appearing secure. The Central Police Station has taken charge of the investigation, seeking to unravel the circumstances surrounding this mysterious death.

In a landmark ruling, Farad Mohammed, a former estate constable dismissed from the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) in 2017, has been awarded over $1.1 million in damages. The High Court determined that his termination violated the company’s disciplinary code, marking a significant victory for Mohammed and the Estate Police Association (EPA).

Mohammed’s dismissal followed an internal disciplinary hearing in February 2017, where he was found guilty of tampering with company property. The incident occurred in October 2016 when Mohammed, while on patrol at TTEC’s Frederick Street offices in Port of Spain, noticed the emblem of a company vehicle had come loose. He claimed he placed it in his pocket to prevent it from falling off, intending to reattach it later. TTEC initially charged him with theft and tampering, though the theft charge was later dropped.

Mohammed and the EPA contested the dismissal, arguing that TTEC’s disciplinary code limited the penalty for a first-time tampering offense to a 30-day suspension with a threat of dismissal. However, the Special Tribunal upheld the termination in 2019, stating the code was merely a guide.

In 2020, Mohammed and the EPA, represented by attorneys Kevin Ratiram and Michael Rooplal, sought judicial review. On January 31, Justice Joan Charles ruled that TTEC was bound by its disciplinary code and lacked the authority to dismiss Mohammed. She overturned the tribunal’s decision, ordered his reinstatement, and directed a damages assessment.

During the assessment before Master Wrenerson Lochan, it was agreed that Mohammed’s lost earnings from 2017 to his reinstatement amounted to $924,656.79. TTEC’s legal team argued for a 40% reduction, citing Mohammed’s conduct, but his attorneys countered that the code prohibited dismissal, absolving him of responsibility. Lochan rejected TTEC’s request, ordering the full payment of $924,656.79, plus $87,355.73 in interest and $109,599 in costs, bringing the total award to over $1.1 million.