Seven police officers charged with misbehaviour in public office are expected to appear in court today.

They are alleged to have accepted a 30 thousand dollar bribe to forgo charges against an Arouca businessman and his wife.

The Police Social and Welfare Association have offered its support to the accused officers.

It is alleged that on November 2nd, the officers went to the home of a couple in Five Rivers, Arouca, to execute a search warrant for firearms, ammunition and narcotics.

It is said, during the search, the officers found a quantity of marijuana, camouflage clothing, and ammunition and arrested both homeowners and took them to the Arouca police station.

It is reported while at the station, the male suspect was approached by one of the officers who solicited the sum of, $30,000 and five pounds of marijuana to forego charges being laid against him and his wife.

Reports say, the suspect was allowed to leave the station with instructions on where the marijuana should be taken and for him to return to the station with the cash.

It is said, he returned to the station with the cash, which he handed over to the officer, and he and his wife were allowed to leave without any charges being laid against them.

A report was subsequently made to the Professional Standards Bureau.

They appeared before justice of the peace Stephen Young on Saturday where they were each granted bail.

A former member of the Police Service Commission asserts that a lie detector test is not enough to address public trust, and corruption in the police service.

Pastor Clive Dottin says, many people know how to beat the system.

Pastor Dottin made the declaration during the TV6 morning edition program yesterday, in response to the introduction of legislation, which seeks to establish polygraph testing for some public officials.

But Pastor Dottin said, politicians at times encourage corruption.

Pastor Dottin said, a country’s Prime Minister should have absolutely no role in the selection of a police commissioner.

He made a clarion call for constitutional reform.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley describes Trinidad and Tobago, stands as a model nation to the world.

Addressing a Diwali celebration at the diplomatic Centre in St. Anns on Wednesday evening, Dr. Rowley, while not being specific, lamented that genocide is still taking place in the world today.

The Prime Minister reminded those gathered, that this twin island state had its humble beginnings in unity.

He called on each citizen to preserve the harmony, which exists in this country.

Carnival has outgrown the capital city, and there is need for more space.

This is the view of chairman of the National Carnival Commission Winston Gypsy Peters who says, everything is expanding except the Port of Spain route.

He was sitting before public administration & appropriations committee of the parliament on Wednesday.

He said, this is why, in some way the NCC supports the Soca Drome.

The National Carnival Commission assures, it is taking steps to patent certain aspects of carnival.

However the executive of NCC cautions that not everything in Trinidad and Tobago carnival originated in this country.

Chairman of the NCC Winston Gypsy Peters, told a public administration and appropriations committee yesterday, that carnival is being marketed but he failed to satisfy commissioners on the protection aspect.

Chair of the committee bridged Annisette George attempted to drill down on the issue.

However, Corporate Secretary Gissell Martin explained why patenting is easier said than done.

Mrs. Martin gave this assurance to committee member Dr. Lackram Bodoe.

Chair Annisette-George wanted clarification, on what patents are being pursued at this time.

The public administration and appropriations committee examined the role of the National Carnival Commission’s management, of carnival 2023 activities.

Darryl Boucard’s killing may have been gang related.

Mr. Boucard was shot and killed at his St. Anns home, on Tuesday evening.

It is reported Mr. Boucard was in the yard of his home at Symond Valley Road, when two men got out of a white Nissan X-trail and opened fire.

Mr. Boucard tried to run but fell before a staircase and died.

Relatives called the police.

A search for the vehicle used to carry the killers was futile.

Yesterday, at the forensic science center relatives said, he was not perfect and police have to do more to curb the number of murders in the country.

Mr. Boucard was the father of two.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education who angered the Prime Minister by saying it, would not have been possible to pay teachers before may next year, is being transferred.

According to the Express Newspaper P.S. Kurt Meyer, has proceeded on vacation and will be reassigned when he returns.

The story says, where Mr. Meyer is being reassigned to, have not been released.

On October 26^th Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said, he was disturbed to know that a public officer indicated to the Education Minister, the promised back pay to teachers might not be possible.

The words of caution to the PS were met with resistance from President of the Public Services Association.

Leroy Baptiste said, the PSA would not allow it.

Mr. Baptiste also said, it would do well for politicians to respect public officers.

The Express says, according to a provision in the law the transfer is done by the PS in the office of the Prime Minister, who is also the head of the public service.

It says, the head of the public service can only transfer a Permanent Secretary, on the instructions of the Prime Minister.

The paper says, a PS is appointed, disciplined or removed by the Public Service Commission and the prime minister can transfer a Permanent Secretary under section 121 6 a of the constitution.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is said, to have 300 working vehicles.

This was revealed by the Minister of National Security Fitzgenerald Hinds in response to questions, on the subject by independent Senator Dr Paul Richards yesterday.

Senator Richards quizzed the Minister on complaints from the public. 

Pressed further, Minister hinds disclosed that his government is working to maintain assets.

Both men were speaking in the upper house yesterday. 

A soldier charged with possession of 600 rounds and six other offences has been granted bail.

Lance corporal Travis Thomas is to stay confined at the regiment’s barracks, in Cumuto.

Thirty-six year old Mr. Thomas was shot last month.

He turned himself in to the police last week and was treated at hospital.

It is reported, the Longdenville soldier shot at the police and escaped in bushes after ammunition was found in a vehicle, he was driving in chase village.

Yesterday he appeared in court on crutches.

Mr. Thomas and Jillisa Frederick were jointly charged with possession.

He was placed on 750 thousand dollars bail, to cover a total of seven charges.

Last week Mr. Frederick appeared in court and was placed on bail.

The Public Utilities Minister says, there is no evidence that Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley’s data has been compromised.

Minister Marvin Gonzales responded to a question posed by opposition Senator Jerlean John yesterday.

Minister Gonzales said, TSTT is still in the process of evaluating all aspects of the cyber attack.

Senator John said, it appeared the Minister was the last to know about what is going on at TSTT.

The Prime Minister calls on the Trinidad and Tobago telecommunications services, to treat the data breach as a national security threat.

This as he clarifies information in the public domain relative to his own data.

In a post on his Facebook page Dr. Rowley says, he can confirm that the information used by the Trinidad guardian to publish its story was not his data, but the ID and DP profile for another family member.

He also says, the latest additional information that is circulating from a stolen spreadsheet is not his bank details.

The Prime Minister says, it appears to be his TT government telephone bill account, which is somewhere on TSTT’s system.

He says, that piece of data has information which is accurate but not secret.

However Dr Rowley says, this data or any other for that matter, falling into the hands of criminals, is deeply disturbing and this occurrence should be treated with the greatest competence and utmost sincerity by the company.

He says, TSTT is also expected to treat this matter as a national security threat and ensure that the public trust is restored, preserved, and handled with absolute professionalism.