Police Sergeant geta $50,000 bail on assault charge

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A Police Sergeant was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau.

A release from he Police Service said Sgt Curtis Applewhite was charged based on advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions Gaspard SC.

Bail was granted in the sum of $50,000 with a surety when he appeared before Magistrate Indar Jagroo of the Port of Spain Magistrates’ Court.

The officer’s arrest arose out of an incident which allegedly occurred on

August 19, 2018, where it is alleged that the virtual complainant was in San Juan and began filming a crime scene on his video recorder.

The virtual complainant alleged that the accused advanced and shoved him repeatedly in his chest and shouted, “I do not want any cameras behind here”.

The virtual complainant alleged that he began experiencing severe chest

pains and sought medical attention at the Chaguanas Health Facility.

The virtual complainant was subsequently detained pending enquiries,

however, during the course of the investigation several persons were

interviewed, statements recorded, CCTV footage and a medical report

obtained were all in favour of the virtual complainant.

On February 7, 2019, Sgt Applewhite was interviewed by police and was told of the report under investigation and informed that he was a suspect in relation the report by the virtual complainant.

On August 26, 2020, a consultation was held with the DPP and he advised that Applewhite be charged.

The matter was adjorned to November 11