The Fathers Association is calling for greater consultation between the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Judiciary on the issue of virtual court hearings conducted within police stations.
While expressing support for the use of virtual hearings, the Association is highlighting some concerns....
00:00The ongoing debacle between the TTPS and the judiciary over the virtual court hearings taking place in police stations is getting the attention of the Fathers' Association.
00:12President of the association, Rundell Fields, notes that law enforcement officials argue that police stations are physically too small to continue this practice,
00:22while the judiciary maintains that the system has been operating effectively for some time, stressing that police stations are not being used as courtrooms, only for virtual appearances by some accused persons.
00:37Fields says he wants the matter resolved as soon as possible, as he predicts this can lead to major problems for non-custodial parents held on maintenance warrants if this isn't resolved sensibly.
00:52We support the virtual hearings. We support the advancement of technology.
00:58We saw it as a very beneficial tool during COVID, not only in the aspect of the virtual court.
01:03We even saw it when it came to the court-based system and the pain of maintenance.
01:06So when it comes to technological advancement, we support that particularly when it comes to the judiciary making the claim on the first hearing.
01:14But we also identify the issue being identified by the police as well. We also agree with that.
01:21The association is expressing serious concerns over having detainees appear for court virtually from the same police station in which they may have been abused or faced intimidation.
01:33Fields fears, this arrangement could re-traumatize individuals or raise questions about fairness and due process.
01:40Imagine you were abused, so to speak, from the police themselves.
01:47And then you are in the police station still and there's not the feeling of a separation of power.
01:53And I think that is a very, very critical point, that the separation of power is very, very critical for the client to feel.
02:03And director of the association, Wendell Grant, is calling on both the police service and the judiciary to find common ground.
02:12He's urging the two entities to work collaboratively to develop secure, neutral spaces.
02:18There needs to be consultation between both parties, meaningful dialogue, not one party saying, well, this has been working and we want it to continue to work in this manner.
02:30Because we must understand that at that point in time, it was designed to meet a particular and specific need.
02:38At that point in time, there should be a revisiting of that entire setup and it should be restructured to be more accommodating to both parties and to meet the needs of the client.
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