By Peter Green
Four police officers appeared before the San Fernando Masters’ Court on March 11 charged with offences relating to misbehaviour in public office. The matter was heard before Master Delicia Bethelmy and was postponed to April 23.
The officers charged were – Police Constable Mervyn Eligon, Police Constable Daawuud Mohammed, Police Constable Alexsi Harripersad, and Police Constable Akiel Smith.
PC Eligon was charged with misbehaviour in public office – intent to pervert the course of public justice, and intent to pervert the course of public justice by falsely representing that he recovered a firearm.
Additionally, PC Eligon, PC Mohammed, PC Harripersad, and PC Smith, were jointly charged with misbehaviour in public office – conspiracy with intent to pervert the course of public justice by concealing the finding of a firearm and ammunition. PC Eligon was granted bail in the sum of $275,000 to cover all charges.
PC Daawuud Mohammed, PC Harripersad, and PC Akiel Smith, were each granted $150,000 bail. According to police reports, on January 5th, a report was made to the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB), regarding the conduct of several police officers, prompting the immediate launch of an investigation.
Investigations revealed that on Wednesday 31st December 2025, a police officer went to a location in South Trinidad sometime after midnight accompanied by a party of police officers including. During a search of the premises, officers reportedly found a firearm with ammunition inside a black plastic bag secured within a storage box in the garage area.
The officers subsequently left the location and returned to the Princes Town Police Station, where it was reported that nothing illegal had been found during the exercise, and a corresponding entry was made in the station diary.
Sometime after, the officers responded to another report and on their return, made a false entry in the station diary alleging that they found a firearm in that particular location. Following these developments, a report was made to the Professional Standards Bureau regarding the conduct of the officers.
An audience was subsequently held with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard SC, who advised that four officers be charged. The investigation was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence and Investigations) Natasha George, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Richard Smith, Senior Superintendent Ramdeo, and Superintendent Jankee.
Acting Corporal Mohamed formally laid the charges against the officers on Monday 9th March.
