Judge tells police: Pray for efficiency

News
Jada Loutoo
File photo of police on patrol at Independence Square, Port of Spain. Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

A HIGH Court judge is suggesting the police service say some prayers for its efficiency after he made a wasted-costs order against the Police Commissioner for the failure of one of her senior officers to defend a lawsuit filed by UNC activist Victor Roberts.

Roberts is challenging the lawfulness of the commissioner’s decision to deny him a permit for a public march in December 2022.

On Wednesday, attorneys for the commissioner sought a further extension, to April 12, to file an affidavit from the acting superintendent of the Southern Division.

Attorney Delise Springer said the extension was needed since it was difficult to get final instructions from acting Supt Theodore-Persad because of her busy schedule.

In resisting the application, Roberts’s attorney Anand Beharrylal, KC, said nothing in the application gave an explanation other than that the police have “been so busy and the lawyers are unable to secure instructions.”

He said getting instructions could be done by video conference, so the police’s lawyers did not have to “travel up and down the highway” to comply with the previous court-ordered deadline of March 24.

Beharrylal said if an extension was to be granted, it should be no later than March 31 and asked for an “unless order.”

Seepersad gave the police until April 6 to file the affidavit. If they do not, they will not be able to rely on any at the trial. He also ordered the commissioner to pay “wasted costs” for Wednesday’s hearing.

The judge was also critical of the police’s failure to follow the court’s orders.

“This court deprecates this current trend…I have said it before and will say it again: from the moment a pre-action protocol letter is received, the matter should be flagged and all the relevant people need to start putting in place a position either on agreement or if it is contested.”

He said in the case of the latter, then the defence could not “sit back and wait” for a lawsuit to be filed.

“A proactive approach has to be taken…Start getting ready for ensuing litigation.”

He said in this case, it was unacceptable for the police to file their application on the last day the affidavit had to be filed, having already been granted a previous extension.

He said he was acutely aware of the multi-faceted functionsof first-division officers, but: “This court cannot wait on or be subjected to the convenience of the police…Every effort must be made to ensure orders must be complied with,” he said, adding that failure to do so, particularly by the police, would send the wrong message to the public and general litigants.

Seepersad also said his wasted-costs order was to register his disapproval of the police’s position.

“There have to be consequences that flow when orders of the court are not complied with.”

Roberts had previously received permission to pursue his judicial review application. In his lawsuit, he complained about the denial of the permit and the delay of the commissioner in making a decision and giving written reasons.

He is seeking several declarations and damages for breach of freedom of thought and expression, and freedom of association and assembly.

Roberts is also represented by attorneys Dinesh Rambally, Kiel Taklalsingh, Stefan Ramkissoon, Rhea Khan, Kavita Moonasar and Crystal Singh.


Football news:

<!DOCTYPE html>
Kane on Tuchel: A wonderful man, full of ideas. Thomas in person says what he thinks
Zarema about Kuziaev's 350,000 euros a year in Le Havre: Translate it into rubles - it's not that little. It is commendable that he left
Aleksandr Mostovoy on Wendel: Two months of walking around in the middle of nowhere and then coming back and dragging the team - that's top level
Sheffield United have bought Euro U21 champion Archer from Aston Villa for £18.5million
Alexander Medvedev on SKA: Without Gazprom, there would be no Zenit titles. There is a winning wave in the city. The next victory in the Gagarin Cup will be in the spring
Smolnikov ended his career at the age of 35. He became the Russian champion three times with Zenit

23:02 Flooding ongoing across eastern and southern Trinidad
21:01 Minority Leader to Deputy Chief Sec: Clear the air on staff salaries
21:01 Lafast Motors signs exclusive deal to sell electric cars
20:58 Vybz Kartel Scolds His Sons Likkle Vybz & Addi For Mocking Cashier
20:58 21 Savage Link Up With Popcaan In Jamaica His Second Trip Outside US
20:21 Roger Jacob: Capturing moments, making history
20:14 Flooding ongoing across eastern, southern Trinidad
20:14 Red Force aim for second gear in Super50
17:33 Mayor: Road-patching programme for Port of Spain
16:41 Nicholas Paul shatters Pan Am sprint record to reach quarter-finals
16:31 CAL adds 42 flights for Tobago carnival
16:31 Freeport police shot at, Enterprise woman held with ammo
15:13 Judge refuses midnight injunction to Venezuelan
9:57 Senators, NCIC hit vandalism
8:04 NCIC head appeals for respect, tolerance of religions, cultures
8:04 Senator: Corrupt police scaring citizens
5:57 Senators, NCIC hit vandalism – STOP TEMPLE ATTACKS
5:57 'I need emotional support'
4:15 The making of Japan Soca Weekend
1:56 Noble: Are we all living pipe dreams, like Mahal, while T&T suffers?
21:01 Daly Bread: Thinking amphitheatre for pan
18:30 Dear Editor: The late BC Pires embodied the spirit of the Calypso Tent
5:28 Mekelia Miller uses queen platform to serve communities
5:14 Triple national award winner vows to serve
5:12 The Secret of The Swamp As Darkness Gathers
5:11 Sophie the New York Fashion Week model
4:57 Erica Mena Questions Mona Scott-Young’s Olivia Pope Post After Firing
4:53 Kheisha Nicholls plans for equity in education
4:50 Caribbean cyclists dominate stage three of 'Classic'
4:50 Ten-man Fatima stun San Juan North 5-2, take No 1 spot
4:50 Bright spark for survivor of Paria diving tragedy
4:45 Erica Williams-Connell lauds preservation of father's legacy
4:45 US-trained educator to host dementia care workshops
4:45 Crime talks, crime questions
4:23 SSFL 23: Kyle tricks QRC in remarkable “Saints” revival; Fatima jump to first
20:56 Trade unions meet with Opposition ahead of budget
20:07 Mayaro MP hurt over murder of Rio Claro girl
19:04 Cops probe two murders, fatal police killing
19:04 Cops probe two murders, police killing
18:29 Stakeholders call for systematic documentation of Carnival
17:15 Valencia fire leaves 7 homeless
14:55 Seamstresses gifted sewing pattern kits from trade ministry
14:27 Rowley: Preserve Trinidad and Tobago’s heritage and learn from it
14:27 Bail to continue for Chinese national accused of meth trafficking
14:27 Tobago fisherfolk want gas rebates in budget
14:24 Central Bank: Food price rises easing
13:57 Vaneisa: It’s no wonder that citizens feel disrespected and disregarded
12:12 Government to decide on HDC house for Peterkin family
12:12 Bad weather leaves million $$ damage
11:59 Pastor: A dark day for Trinidad and Tobago as murdered siblings buried
8:13 Crime talks off on wrong foot
8:13 Rowley’s admission of failure
7:55 We need healthy sexuality conversations
23:59 Signal Hill athletes shine in cross-run
23:59 Alexander bags hat-trick for Scarborough in SSFL girls division
23:48 Cuban Embassy In Washington, D.C. Attacked
23:24 Mexican beats Campbell to Tobago Cycling Classic stage 2 win
23:24 West Indies women’s coach wants ‘calypso’ cricket vs Aussies
22:38 Bail denied to Trinidadian wanted in US on drug-trafficking charges
21:42 Mayaro Football League kicks off on Saturday
21:42 Army coach laments draw: No freebies in Caribbean Cup
21:11 Flawless San Juan welcome Fatima in SSFL
20:01 Chief Sec: Thanks to me, Dutch apologised for slavery
16:45 San Fernado corporation employee shot dead near work
16:45 San Fernando corporation employee shot dead near workplace
16:41 Fyzabad man killed, friend injured
16:41 San Fernando corporation workers protest over poor working conditions
16:27 T&TEC closes two service centres on Saturdays
16:27 Appeal Court rejects Chinese contractor’s plea for Las Alturas repayment plan
16:27 Port Authority to appeal Superfast Galicia ruling
16:27 Tobago fishermen want answer on Barbados/Trinidad and Tobago flying fish dispute
16:27 Throwing down the gauntlet
16:27 Judge orders Facebook user to pay NCRHA’s CEO $1m for Facebook libel
15:17 Rio Claro girl, 13, among two shot dead at home
10:18 Bad weather sweeps across south, central – 11 ROOFS BLOWN OFF
10:18 Strong winds affect CAL, hangar roofs blown off
6:44 Trinidad and Tobago’s Shane Ramnarine shines on New York fashion stage
6:33 Keeron Isaac promoting culture through books, merchandise
6:18 Funeral assoc head tells father of Guanapo 4: Police to blame for decaying bodies
6:18 Cycling on the Avenue returns after 4-year hiatus
6:16 Coco Velvet screening for Miss Tobago pageant
6:13 Crime-fighting strategies for Trinidad and Tobago
6:10 Food loss and waste: An unacceptable reality
3:58 Bounty Killer Gives Najeeriii His Flowers Despite Not Understanding His Lyrics
3:13 AC close Caribbean campaign with solitary point, after D/Force draw
22:09 British High Commission not involved in UK investigator’s work in Trinidad and Tobago
21:04 Increased arrivals for cruise season
19:57 Granny threatens Children’s Authority with lawsuit
19:57 Grandmother threatens Children’s Authority with lawsuit
19:01 American Jonathan Brown takes Stage 1 at Tobago Cycling Classic
18:09 British High Commission not involved in EMM’s work in Trinidad and Tobago
16:45 Chief Sec: Seven-man team to monitor Kilgwyn Bay project
16:17 Ex-cop sentenced to 7 years for causing death by dangerous driving
16:17 Judge orders SWRHA to release dad’s medical records
16:13 Arms, drugs seized – suspect facing deportation
16:13 2 charged for Arouca man’s murder
16:13 Put the pawi on the money
15:49 Tobago Business Chamber: Stakeholders must be included in cross-party crime talks
15:38 Opposition leader: Raise minimum wage to $25/hr
15:35 Trade ministry responds to European ban on Trinidad and Tobago fish