00:00The case involving now Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin
00:03came from a charge of dangerous driving laid by Assistant Commissioner of Police
00:07Wayne Meister in October 2023. The matter was discontinued on December 16, 2024
00:14on advice from Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard, Senior
00:18Counsel. The case stemmed from an incident which took place in April last
00:22year where a 14-year-old schoolboy was crossing the priority bus route and the
00:27wheel of Martin's vehicle ran over his foot causing fractures to his foot.
00:30Martin stated that a child had crossed in between two maxi-taxis and she had
00:36taken him to the hospital. One of the attorneys representing Martin, Jagdev
00:41Singh, says when the police did their internal investigations Martin, who was
00:46head of the Professional Standards Bureau at the time, was cleared of any
00:49wrongdoing and it was recommended that no further police action be taken. But
00:54the day before the matter became statute barred, the charge was laid.
00:58There was absolutely no new evidence which emerged from the time when the
01:04file was closed to when this decision was taken. At least we don't know of any
01:11new evidence that emerged and certainly DCP Martin was not given the
01:16opportunity to answer any new evidence which might or may not have
01:23emerged. We don't know it yet. Which was very strange because it coincided
01:28around the time Miss Martin was was being considered for promotion into the
01:34higher ranks. But I leave that aside and I say no more for the moment on that.
01:38While one reporter at the time said the instructions to charge Martin came from
01:43Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Bowler, after a file
01:48was submitted to the DPP's office by the Police Complaints Authority, Singh can
01:53confirm that. I don't know that for sure because this is not a case which
01:59requires the approval of the DPP. So we don't know who gave the authority to
02:06charge Miss Martin in the first place. In response, DCP Martin says she has
02:10always had the utmost respect for the judicial system and she agrees with the
02:15discontinuation of the matter. Martin states, quote, I remain committed to
02:20upholding the principles of justice and fairness in all aspects of my work. While
02:24this chapter is now closed, I want to reassure the citizens of Trinidad and
02:28Tobago that my dedication to serving this nation remains unwavering. I will
02:34not be deterred in my duty to protect and serve. End quote. She's thanking her
02:39family, colleagues and the public for the support she received at this time.
02:42Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
02:50you
Comments