Two police officers have been arrested and formally charged following an investigation conducted by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) into allegations of misconduct.
The officers, Police Constable (PC) Stefano Haban and Police Constable (PC) Jalani Prima, were charged on Monday March 30th, 2026, with multiple offences of misbehaviour in public office.
The charges arise out of a report made on March 16th, 2026, concerning an incident which allegedly occurred on March 14th, 2026, along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in the vicinity of Mausica.
According to reports, a motorist was stopped by officers in a marked police vehicle and, after complying with requests for his documents, was informed that he was driving a stolen vehicle. The individual denied the allegation but was nevertheless arrested, handcuffed, and placed into the police vehicle.
While being transported, the officers allegedly diverted from the stated destination of the Maloney Police Station and instead drove along Mausica Road, where the motorist was unlawfully detained and subjected to demands for money in exchange for his release.
It is further alleged that the officers solicited the sum of $20,000 from the victim and required an immediate payment of $10,000. The victim was allegedly taken to an ATM in Arima and instructed to withdraw cash, which he did under the direction of the officers. He was also allegedly threatened with further consequences if the remaining balance was not paid.
The officers are also accused of taking cash from the victim’s wallet during the incident.
An investigation was immediately launched by the Professional Standards Bureau under the coordination of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence and Investigations) Ms. Natasha George and Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith, with support from Senior Superintendent Douglas and Superintendent Jankee, and supervised by Woman Assistant Superintendent Bacchus, Sgt Joefield, and other members of the Professional Standards Bureau and included a controlled operation during which one of the accused officers was arrested.
Both officers have been jointly charged with:
- Misbehaviour in public office, namely kidnapping;
- Misbehaviour in public office, namely corruptly and dishonestly obtaining $10,000.00.
Additionally, PC Haban faces several further charges, including:
- Attempting to corruptly and dishonestly obtain $20,000.00;
- Larceny of $1,200.00;
- Multiple counts of attempting to obtain additional sums of money;
- Corruptly and dishonestly obtaining $500.00.
Following their arrest, Preventive Detention Orders were obtained, and both officers are currently detained at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre.
The matter was heard before the Arima Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday March 31st, 2026, and has been adjourned to Tuesday April 14th, 2026.
Investigations are ongoing.