…DCP: A dark day for our country | Local News | trinidadexpress.com

“This is a dark day for our country and for all of us who wear the badge.”

These were the words of Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, who yesterday condemned the kidnapping and murder of used car dealer Sachel Kungebeharry, and lamented the fact that two police officers had been charged with the offences.

Cpl Ashraf Mohammed, 45, of Chin Chin Road, Cunupia, and PC Jason Dan Michael, 34, of Charlieville, both appeared before High Court Master Margaret Sookraj-Goswami, charged with murder and the offence of misbehaving in public office by kidnapping him for ransom.

Senior officers held a news conference at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain later yesterday to address this.

“This is a dark day for our country and for all of us who wear the badge. Let me be clear. This is not just a betrayal of the victims and their families. It is a betrayal of the trust that you the public have placed in the TTPS,” Martin said.

She said the allegations had shaken the foundation of trust, which was essential for the T&T Police Service (TTPS).

She reiterated all officers who abused their authority will be held accountable.

“The badge should symbolise integrity, fairness and protection. When that symbol is tarnished by violence, it is our duty to act swiftly and fairly which underscores the zero-tolerance approach to police,” Martin said.

However, she noted the actions of a few did not reflect the values of all, and maintained there were many hard-working men and women in the Service.

“Words alone are not enough. Trust is not something that can be demanded. It must be earned and we have quite a lot of work to do in that regard,” Martin said.

Following the officers’ arrests, Martin said concrete steps will be taken to ensure better accountability in the TTPS.

“I will ensure that accountability measures are strengthened not just in response to this tragedy but a long-term commitment,” she said, adding the TTPS will also be reviewing training programmes and internal systems which are meant to prevent abuses of power.

ACP Curt Simon and Snr Supt Claire Guy-Alleyne expressed similar sentiments, and promised the TTPS would weed out all rogue and vagabond elements.

Simon noted both officers were from the Caroni Police Station.

“I want to ensure the public in this instance that you should not lose trust in us, we have demonstrated that time and time again, we are prepared to deal with our delinquent, rogue or vagabond officers,” he said.

Kungebeharry, 32, of Pierre Road, Felicity, was abducted on September 25 by people in a marked police vehicle.

He was in a car proceeding along Jerningham Railway Road, Endeavour, Chaguanas, when the incident took place.

Kungebeharry’s relatives received a ransom request and $500,000 was eventually paid. However, he was not released, as promised.

Kungebeharry’s body was eventually found in a shallow grave in Longdenville on October 4. He was identified by his fingerprints.

An autopsy conducted at the Forensic Science Centre in Federation Park found he died of chop wounds to the neck and head, and a stab wound to the back.