(Trinidad Guardian) Two Central Division police officers were allegedly caught red-handed by their seniors receiving a bribe on Wednesday night. The officers, with 30 years’ service between them, may have thrown away their careers for TT$3,000 and an agouti, the T&T Guardian was told. Police said the officers, who are attached to the Longdenville Police Post, spent two nights in custody at the Chaguanas Police Station when a report was drafted to be submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Investigators said both accused officers were engaged in a road traffic exercise in Longdenville around 1.30 pm on Wednesday when they arrested a motorist and impounded his car after he failed to produce a copy of his car insurance. It is alleged that around 7.30 pm, the driver of the vehicle was told he would be released if he paid TT$7,000. He was ordered to summon the owner of the car to the station. When the owner arrived at the station he was questioned about the ownership of the car and was arrested for “aiding and abetting.” A senior police official said the detained men negotiated to have the TT$7,000 demand reduced to TT$5,000. However, the driver allegedly said he could only offer TT$3,000 and two ducks. But the owner of the car bettered the offer by promising TT$3,000 and an agouti.