The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has cleared Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin of allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
In a letter to Martin dated February 11, 2025, the PCA said it investigated allegations made by then sergeant (Matthew) Haywood (now inspector) that Martin had attempted to pervert the course of justice in 2023 in respect of two firearms-related investigations.
‘insufficient evidence’:
PCA chairman David West
However, the PCA said it found there was insufficient evidence to substantiate these allegations, and consequently it closed the case.
DCP Martin had written to the PCA on Monday requesting the following information: a) whether acting Insp Haywood had made a report to the PCA in relation to allegations of attempting to pervert the course of justice against her; and b) if so, whether she could be informed of the status of this investigation.
In the PCA’s letter to Martin dated February 11, 2025, signed by chairman David West, West said that “on or about August 18, 2023, the PCA received correspondence bearing the signature of then Sergeant Haywood and concerning the subject ‘Alleged attempts by Senior Officer to Pervert the Course of Justice’. Therein, allegations of perverting the course of justice were made against you (Martin) in your capacity as head of the Professional Standards Bureau”.
West said after receiving the correspondence, the PCA took a decision to commence an investigation into the allegations.
“Following an assessment of the evidence gathered, the Authority formed the opinion that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations. Consequently the Authority closed its investigations into the matter,” West concluded.
Martin’s letter to the PCA came one day after the Sunday Express broke the story that Haywood had written a report expressing deep concerns over the manner in which Martin had handled two firearm investigations “of national importance” involving two persons whose names were linked to high-profile cases of illegal weapons importation and possession.
The Haywood report, dated July 5, 2023, which detailed the allegations, was addressed to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Intelligence and Investigations, Curt Simon and was copied to the Commissioner of Police, head of the Special Branch, Minister of National Security, head of the National Security Council, and the PCA.
Haywood had alleged, among other things, that Martin had attempted to pervert the course of justice when she stymied certain investigations, and acted contrary to the advice of the DPP when she instructed him (Haywood) to dismantle a firearm, remove a part of the firearm seized and hand over the firearm evidence back to the suspect.
Simon: Not enough
evidence
The PCA’s findings were the same as those of the two T&T Police Service (TTPS) legal officers who determined that the report was not a sufficient basis for the commencement of an investigation.
In Simon’s response to Haywood, by letter dated August 17, 2023, he said independent opinions were sought by two legal officers in the TTPS. “However both legal opinions indicated that there was a lack of evidence for the commencement of an investigation into the allegations.
“As such to attain that threshold, you (Haywood) are advised to supply the undermentioned information as recommended by the legal officer (s) in order to guide a decision as to the commencement of an investigation.”
This information included: 1) Reports as it relates to the investigations, so that the reader may be fully apprised; 2) Documentary evidence in the form of reports and telephone messages and a list of witnesses to support the contents of the report.
“The legal officers’ opinion is that this report is premature for the commencement of an investigation without the support of credible evidence,” Simon stated.
Haywood responded to Simon on September 12, 2023, saying he “totally disagreed” with the opinions of the “two unnamed legal officers of the TTPS that there is a lack of evidence for the commencement of an investigation into the Report that I made against Snr Supt S Martin” (as she was then).
Haywood said he sought advice from three attorneys who felt that the opinions of the TTPS legal officers were wrong, and it would be “absurd” for the TTPS not to conduct an enquiry.
Martin is currently leading the investigations into suspended Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher’s actions relative to the granting of a licence for the importation and use of two sniper rifles, which found their way to the Strategic Services Agency.
Thirteen days after Harewood-Christopher was arrested and questioned, she has not been charged.
