Two days after acting corporal Anuska Eversley was found dead at the San Fernando Municipal Police Station, and a cache of firearms and ammunition was stolen from the station’s strong room, head of the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service (TTMPS), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Surrendra Sagramsingh has been sent on leave.
Sagramsingh confirmed this in a telephone interview with the Express earlier today.
Asked to confirm rumours that he was sent on leave, he said: “Well, yes. I’ve been sent on administrative leave for the course of the investigation.”
When asked if this was a regular occurrence during the course of an investigation, Sagramsingh said it was not.
He added: “But it happens at times and when it happens they explained that alright, there would have been recommendations from somewhere, so I’m good with that.”
Responding to the question as to the reason given to him for being put on leave, he said, “because of the investigation ongoing and they wouldn’t want you to be around performing duty, and to ensure transparency and thing in case they see a connection”.
However, he added that he was “good with that” as “it goes with the territory”.
“The fact is I am in my career as a police officer (and) have been bent on service. So, definitely you would have preferred to have served. But if the authorities feel that is the best thing to do at the time, I am compliant,” he continued.
On Monday, Sagramsingh, who has headed the TTMPS for six years, told the Express that the number of guns that were stolen from the San Fernando Municipal Police Station could be over 100.
“I can say it could be that, or a little more, but we have to find out,” he said, adding that an assessment was underway to determine the accurate figure.
He said the bunker at the King’s Wharf, Lady Hailes Avenue station was “one of the best”, and stored guns for other stations, with guns from other stations also possibly on loan.
“So, we have to find out how much stations were actually securing firearms there, and who would have loaned firearms to that department because we have to keep firearms that police can use.
“So this, in fact, might be the figure you’re calling. Possibly, it can be a little more,” Sagramsingh said on Monday.
Responding to questions from TV6 journalist Cindy Raghubar-Teekersingh, minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen confirmed that Sagramsingh had been sent on leave.
She said: “Administrative directive by permanent secretary (PS) not to report for duty during the investigation. Precautionary measure. It’s not a finding of misconduct or liability on his part.”
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service confirmed that 38 firearms have been recovered since Sunday’s incident, and ten persons are presently in police custody.
