WRECKING RESUMED NATIONWIDE

[00:00:01] Speaker A: The best insight, instant feedback, accountability. The all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5. [00:00:08] Speaker B: I want to take the time to say good morning to acting, but I don't know if he's lazy. Fine line. I don't know if it's Policewood because that Nollywood, Bollywood, Hollywood, but acting ACP Russell is in the building. Asp, sorry, Acting Asp Russell is in the building with me this morning and I see how, I see how we take office and we take off mine too, you know, because the minds need to connect now we just take off the hair so the minds could connect, you know. I sent him a message this morning and I tell him I'm looking to kidnap you of CNC3. I had to come downstairs and chat with me this morning. And the he does never be. He's be worried, but then he don't be worried. This is the officer that comes here calm and poised. Oh God, I didn't even realize he was outside. Right. So this is the officer that comes in the station calm and poised and very collective. You know, he takes his time and his response, but he sheds light. So this morning we're not gonna ask him anything. That's too bad. That's why he's here. I know he's not even worried. But we have to talk about this. We gotta get some clarification on the wrecking in Port of Spain and he could shed some light on it. Tell us, you know, what are some of our rights. I mean it was cleared up by the TTPS in yesterday's papers. We got insight as to what could happen, what should happen, what shall, what must. All right, and. But there is something that came up as well. A video surfaced yesterday during the day of a vehicle being damaged when it was being wrecked. ASP Russell, good morning to you, coming to the mic and welcome to the program. You could just pull it again and lay it back in that whole thing. [00:01:45] Speaker C: Could. [00:01:45] Speaker B: There you go. Hey, look at you. You could lay back, man. Good morning. How are you, sir? Happy New Year. I ain't see you since last year. By all the best with things. By all things. All things. [00:01:52] Speaker A: Well, first of all, let me say good morning, Trinidad and Tobago. On behalf of the Commissioner of the Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and first and second division officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, we wish you a happy new year. As usual, it's a pleasure for me to be here to shed some light on this current topic. [00:02:11] Speaker B: I always. I mean eyes are Russellite. I always like the. What kind of thing is this Just so Russell boy, you see that calm voice? You just come in my studio with you got the kind of music come on my thing just like that. All of a sudden I hear in boys to mention. Anyway, so the thing about it is, my good friend, I'm happy that you're able to come downstairs and give us about 10 minutes quickly. You know, we ain't gonna take too long. Just shed some light. I mean the wrecking services in Trinidad and Tobago. As an officer, clarify for me, is it, is it fact that officers must return the vehicle to you once you show up on the scene and they have not removed it from its place of resting? [00:02:46] Speaker A: Yes, indeed, they ought to put. They are to put down the vehicle and issue a fixed penalty ticket. [00:02:52] Speaker B: There you go. [00:02:53] Speaker A: However, let me say this to avoid everything, let's. Let's just do the right thing. You see, everybody is complaining about being wrecked. However, you are only wrecked if you are found in breach. Yes, the responsibility lies with you to do your due diligence. Having worked police complaints, I would have seen many reports of people saying that they were wrecked, you know, without any reason. Like for instance, some person's park on Henry Street. Henry street is alternate parking. However, the no parking sign is at the bottom of Henry street by Independence Square. Ah, so if you access Henry street. [00:03:41] Speaker B: From Duke street, you ain't seeing that. [00:03:43] Speaker A: You'Re not seeing that. But does that say that you haven't committed a breach? Yes, you did committed, you did commit the breach. I was now saying on air upstairs that I attended an event weekend and as I came out of the event, a vehicle was being wrecked and persons were, why are you all wrecking the vehicle? And what the officer did, the handbrakes on the vehicle was up and they just dragged the vehicle about 10ft and then they came out. But I stopped the record one time, I said, yo, why, why don't we put on the dolly wheels immediately? Because we know the telephones will come on when they start to drag. It will come off just before you put on the dolly wheels. He said, sir, I hear you and I understand exactly what you are saying. But because person started to gather and person started to share their comments and their sentiments, he decided to move away from the crowd as he understand that before it escalated. What happened is that driver took it for granted that because it's late in the night and no buses are working, he parked on the bus stop sign. But we need to obey the traffic laws, be it day or night, regardless of the hour, the day, the time of the week, the laws remain in force. There's no law that would say park by a bus stop after 6. [00:05:16] Speaker B: Yeah, I agree, agree. [00:05:18] Speaker A: So we need to do that due diligence to ensure that we ourselves and our 10 persons were a wreck is $500. I'm certain the fine is more than that. Probably around 750 to $1,000. [00:05:33] Speaker B: I think it's about two grand. [00:05:35] Speaker A: Oh, look at that. And it has been doubled. Yes, I remember everything has been. [00:05:37] Speaker B: So I think if it's what 750. [00:05:39] Speaker A: To wreck it would have gone 15. [00:05:40] Speaker B: It's 1500. [00:05:41] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah. [00:05:41] Speaker B: Somewhere there. So it's more. But they take the. But they take the. Let them wreck it and go down and pay the 500. [00:05:45] Speaker A: I think the inconvenience of this bothers most persons. But now the reckon yard are indeed closer in the Port of Spain it is. But why risk it? Risk it a car park maybe $10. [00:05:56] Speaker B: Yeah. [00:05:57] Speaker A: When you look at 18 a day as opposed to 500 even if you're minus that $80 you're still at 420. [00:06:05] Speaker B: So here's the thing. A gladiator mentioned the dolly wheels. Now the officer removed himself from the situation because persons gathers which is a hot which could become hostile. So you move right, that's good but in moving you're damaging the vehicle. What happens and this is the part I want to clear up with you real quick. And I love your approach I must say you often tell persons listen avoid it now just do the right thing and time gonna happen, no problems. I love that approach but the prime minister recently said we are a lawless dump. So we always hell bent on wanting to do the wrong thing first and then argue for rights after. This is the scenario we're facing the record removing a. A what looks like a Civic. I don't know. I don't. I watch the video but a gold car and the bumper came off the record man. Pick up the bumper and put it on the back of the record the truck and go on with the car. Same way the driver never appeared on the scene. Based on the 4 minutes and seconds video the driver never appeared on the scene. So obviously they're going with it. That driver gun wrecked going down to street or maybe long shotgun street and discover this what redress. I mean he pays his 500 to retake, right? So he paid the fine but then his vehicle is damaged. [00:07:28] Speaker A: What next but he can go through the courts civil and and quote for the damages and stuff like that. The thing about it is by the time you pay A lawyer, I mean you would be. You have to fix the car because you want to use the. [00:07:43] Speaker B: So you had to dip in your own pocket. [00:07:44] Speaker A: You have to dip in your own pocket, keep your bills and then go through the judicial system, have it adjudicated upon. I know persons who would have done it, but it's less than more person. See the cost like for the average man, you have a family to take care. By the time you go by for the consultation, you're into the thousands. You still have to fix the bumper because you can't drive on the road without the bumper. You got another ticket. [00:08:07] Speaker B: There's another ticketable offense. [00:08:08] Speaker A: So you know, you're kind of boxed in. But what I want to tell the officers and what we always tell our officers, I mean, nobody wants to destroy your car. Yeah, I remember I was on the receiving end of a wreck. Yes. And I was on the receiving end of getting a ticket as well by my own officers. [00:08:25] Speaker B: I love what you just said. [00:08:27] Speaker A: So for those who thinking that we don't police our own, we do that. [00:08:31] Speaker B: But did you get a ticket? [00:08:32] Speaker A: Yes, I forgotten two or three tickets already. [00:08:36] Speaker B: You see that folks from my own. [00:08:38] Speaker A: Officers who knew I was a police officer as well. I know many police officers who receive tickets. Many various ranks. [00:08:46] Speaker C: Wow. [00:08:47] Speaker A: Maybe boss shoot, maybe tint or otherwise. [00:08:49] Speaker B: They get a ticket. They get a ticket, they committed your fracture. I love what you just said because people have the opinion that they don't. And you as a senior officer could admit I was ticketed by my officers. Yeah. [00:08:59] Speaker A: Your officers say sir on at least three occasions. [00:09:03] Speaker B: So you did not do the right thing, Officer Russell. That's why you just love me now. [00:09:07] Speaker A: To do the right thing. That's why I love me now. And I'm saying right, like for instance, I knew my vehicle needed to be inspected and my spirit said to me, go and Inspect your vehicle. $300 for inspection. When you look at the price of the ticket for not having your vehicle inspected, it's way more than that. Granted, some persons may be in a position where they have to spend money for the vehicle to pass the inspection. But what I want Chilean Tobago to understand and to really put in their minds and analyze and meditate on it is everybody would have seen the long lines at licensing office, the long lines by the inspection stations, the long lines by the insurance companies. So it gives you an idea of how many persons were just taking chances. Solar vehicle never transferred, all these kind of things. Change the color, never, never reported it updated. Yeah, change you, you know, change engine yeah. [00:10:05] Speaker B: Which is the most. The color is okay. But you see the engine. They could impound your vehicle because they have no records whether that is a stolen engine. [00:10:11] Speaker A: You understand what I'm saying? And it just. It just shows me how much persons were just delinquent. Well, that's. You call any public delinquent or what? We are happy to see that persons have an increased vigor, for want of a better word, to do the right thing. [00:10:34] Speaker B: Okay, so it's $1,500 for the ticket. They said Davey in the corporation's responsibility is to clear these signs. Is to have clear signs. All right. To assist the motorists to prevent them from breaking the law. Because ignorance is no excuse of the law. So what Asp Russell now mentioned at the bottom of Henry Street. You can not. No, I understand that, but it is. You can fight it in. In court. Go to court after, take a picture of the area, show them there was no signs. And you didn't. You're from south, you came into Port of Spain, you're unaware and you get ticketed. You might be able to get some leniency in the courts. The next thing is your lawyer can ask the state to pay your legal fees. Yes, that can happen only after you win. [00:11:15] Speaker A: Only after you win. [00:11:16] Speaker B: But before. But in Trinidad we do have it like the American system. Where have you. Have you had asbestos? Have you been exposed to cancerous? Come to us, we win, you win. We only get paid when you get paid. We don't have that kind of law system in Trinidad. [00:11:29] Speaker A: So let me paint this picture. No, no, no. Yeah, but once we win, you can apply for cost. [00:11:33] Speaker B: Right, Right. So that is. [00:11:34] Speaker A: But let me. But let me say this, though you have not done your due diligence, so you would have parked in an errant manner and you would have received wreck and experience some sort of damage lawyer consultation fee. You decide the contesting. Whoever, let's say it's a ticket and decide you're contesting it. You get a date for 2028, 2029. [00:12:01] Speaker B: Going further right now. Right. 2035, 2030. [00:12:04] Speaker A: So, so just imagine you're going 2035. [00:12:08] Speaker B: Or 2030 day when you know, get. [00:12:10] Speaker A: Into a new home and you forget about this ticket and the police officers. [00:12:16] Speaker B: Appears in court and you do and you don't problems. [00:12:21] Speaker A: And a warrant is taken out. Because once you, once you contested your. You, you. Once you indicate your intentions to contest, you are issued a date. [00:12:29] Speaker B: Yes. [00:12:30] Speaker A: So it's your responsibility. It could be one year, two years, 10 years long. [00:12:34] Speaker B: You would remember Your date to keep a note. [00:12:36] Speaker A: A police officer goes to court and you're not there, then what? [00:12:39] Speaker B: But there's no warrant there. I personally experienced it where I contested a ticket. And what happened to me is that in the absence of me, they adjudicated on the matter and I lost. I had a pity ticket. It increased. I had to pay the increased fines. [00:12:55] Speaker A: And it increased, it increased. [00:12:57] Speaker B: So remember, it's a violation or not an offense where. Where they had to issue a bench warrant like back in the day. But your fines increase and your own. And when you go to renew your license, you realize, but it's not the other paid sooner it comes up, you don't escape. I have a call burning coming through here quickly and respectfully. Good morning. [00:13:13] Speaker D: I want to be Monte officer. [00:13:15] Speaker A: Good morning. [00:13:15] Speaker D: What I want to say is, you see, I've gotten a couple of tickets in the past. You pay them. [00:13:20] Speaker A: Yes, I did. [00:13:21] Speaker D: Of course you did produce a good officer. I know, I know. I tell you what I see at hand. I remember when you saw taxi. When I saw taxi. I've just took. Police came out the permit and give the provincial license. He pull out his police permit and give me money. But I asked him for this. When you police realize no, he's a police didn't charge him and charge you to other guys that could be right, right. And then I know all the time who on the bushroot and the this police officers. Police allow them to go. I can remember their own private cars, personal cars. So I mean some do the work and some don't. [00:13:59] Speaker E: Enjoy your day. [00:13:59] Speaker B: Thank you. And, and, and before the ASP answers, I will tell you yes, it's fact and it happens in any job, not just the police. You have an employee come in and they can step in the front of the line because they as an employee, they may not be working in this branch, they're working in our next branch. But because there's an employee, they get a blind. [00:14:18] Speaker A: All right. [00:14:19] Speaker B: It happens in every space of work, not just the police. All right, But I promise you, if the police shoot somebody and kill them and it's murder, they ain't gonna get no black. They will face the courts. All right, so the little bus shooting, the little traffic violation committed just as much as citizens get blind. Why not? If a police officer say all right, all right, go through. I. I personally have no problem for traffic violation, especially a little bush or parking. And you're getting Professor Bly because some citizens. I have received Bly as well. And I am not an officer so why ain't complain about those who get blind? That is not police, you understand? [00:14:54] Speaker A: So David, let me tell you something and I'm happy that the caller is that my three tickets were for Boss Route 2 at $2,000 which I paid and the first one was at 200. [00:15:05] Speaker B: Yeah, 200, yes. [00:15:06] Speaker A: So I'm talking about, you see as a ranked officer sergeant at the time. At the time. And the officer who gave me the ticket was junior me, a police constable. And I took my ticket and I paid it. We could, do you understand what I'm saying? When I got that, that wreck on that day, my car was damaged as well. It was a four wheel drive vehicle, a wagon. So they did not realize the Rediff was destroyed. [00:15:32] Speaker B: Wow. [00:15:33] Speaker A: And I just, I just took it and I got wrecked from in front of St. James Police Station whilst working. I finished work and getting ready to go and do an extra duty and I went and I paid my wrecking fee. [00:15:48] Speaker B: So only listening, I paid it. This is. And, and there are many other police officers like Officer Russell that experience this, you know, from juniors, you know, sir. All right, you breach the law just to liken it to this. If all you're worried about Russell being ticketed by his juniors, remember it was juniors who lock up the commissioner and detain her. So people working in her office under her. So if that could happen to her. Oh God, let me be real. [00:16:20] Speaker E: Good morning, David. [00:16:22] Speaker B: Please don't be too long. [00:16:24] Speaker E: Officer. Your name? [00:16:26] Speaker B: Good morning, Officer Russell. [00:16:27] Speaker E: Officer Russell. Good morning. [00:16:29] Speaker A: Good morning sir. [00:16:30] Speaker E: Officer Russell, I have a little problem. A few days ago, a few nights ago, there was an incident somewhere around Trinity Piaco where a police vehicle left one side of the road, took out a lamp post, police female officer flew out the vehicle and the vehicle collided with three other vehicles. I have not heard the police explain to us where that officer was going at that hour in the morning at that speed or apologize to the citizens who was involved in those accidents. So could you give me some light on that matter please? And what is the status? Because now we are, we're we saying our country is broken, there is no money and now I'm out of a police vehicle and I'm also out of two officers. So somebody tell me something where that matter is concerned, please. [00:17:23] Speaker B: I would to be honest, I'm not the officer. But the police don't owe you an explanation. But go ahead, Russell. [00:17:33] Speaker A: Well, let me first say sir, I am indeed unaware of this, of the situation. But let me tell you something. A road traffic accident, the rules and Regulations remains the same whether it's a police officer in their private capacity or on the government's time doing the government's work driving the government's vehicle. Actually, the investigation, investigation is even more thorough when it's on the job driving the government's vehicle because there's a cost attached that the controller of accounts will have to find the money to fix the persons involved. So if that officer is indeed wrong, and I would have seen officers and witnessed officers whilst in the capacity of their duty that committed a traffic breach that resulted in an accident and I would have seen them classified as the wrong person. So let me tell you something. An investigation still have to take place and we will let the chips fall where it may. I will tell you something. Trinidad has this great notion that police officers are for police officers. And let me tell you something, it's less than more. You may find the occasional situation where a batch may assist somebody, but it's less than more. When you look at our disciplinary process, how many officers before the tribunal and how many officers has been charged by the Professional Standards Bureau? Let me tell you something. There is no organization in Trinidad and Tobago that police their own like we police our own. [00:19:03] Speaker B: This is good intel. I thank you so much for this impromptu interview. This is really good intel. I promise only 10 minutes but Russell is sharing boy. Good morning. [00:19:12] Speaker C: A pleasant good morning once more Davy and A.S.P. [00:19:15] Speaker D: Russell. [00:19:16] Speaker C: A pleasant good morning. A.S.P. greetings to you. Happy New Year. [00:19:23] Speaker B: We have limited time. You have limited time but here what. [00:19:25] Speaker C: Davey, I got a tease here this morning and then ASP office competence. Are you going to have you raised the issue with earlier with the Route 2 Maxi taxi drivers Association. [00:19:36] Speaker B: Right. [00:19:36] Speaker C: So I want to make us a. The preamble is that every maxi taxi driver is self employed and does is not committed to the association. And if it is that he charges he raised his fees. He has committed no offense at all. I I wait on the the response from the officer. [00:19:57] Speaker B: All right, well that's that. That has nothing to do with the police. [00:20:00] Speaker A: All right. [00:20:01] Speaker B: And I have to leave it there. And I want to thank Officer no Filolego ambush Officer Russell and ask him a million questions. That is not it. We will get him on another time where he's not too busy and we could chat for an hour. But for now I graciously thank you. Thank you for sharing the most important thing. I want persons to understand that the takeaway from what I did with the interview is that do the right thing and you do have redress if you do the wrong thing. You can go through civil litigation to get repairs, but it's a tedious process. You have to get a lawyer and in some instances sometimes do repairs to your vehicle before you drive home. Because if the differential is damaged on the parking lot of the police who are mechanic to come and see about it. But here's the thing, Russell. If you do have money to see about it right there and then you had to pay the storage fee or 200 for the next day. [00:20:52] Speaker A: Yes, indeed. So I am saying if you know you don't have the money to pay the fine, what to do with the rules and regulations. [00:20:59] Speaker B: So if it is the vehicle get damaged, right. The police, you pay the 500 to release it. But the police, they tell you, okay, we sorry, we damage it. Yeah, but you gotta take it with the court. You go to the police complaint, you go through the process. But if the vehicle is undrivable because of the damage, like the diff or something, and you had to repair it and your car game mechanic until the next morning, you had to pay the. [00:21:17] Speaker A: 200, but then you, oh, get a record to come and wreck it. Oh my God, how much? [00:21:23] Speaker B: 500. [00:21:24] Speaker A: You need to just do the right, right. And I will tell you this, even in criminal matters, everybody's entitled to a defense. Yeah, yeah. [00:21:34] Speaker B: I mean, oh gosh boy, this is information. I thank you very much, Russell. I really want to thank you. I saw you last weekend. I don't feel I didn't see, I didn't see you. But this morning was important for me. So thank you very much. Fifteen before the top. Let me let the man go. He has a lot of policing work to do. [00:21:48] Speaker A: The best insight, instant feedback, accountability. The all new Talk Radio Freedom 106.5.