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  • 11 months ago

The case involving Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin concerning a charge of "dangerous driving" has been discontinued. The ruling was handed-down in a virtual hearing on Tuesday morning.
Martin's Attorney tells us, how the charge came about in the first place is shrouded in uncertainty.
Alicia Boucher has more in this report.
Transcript
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
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