PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO police officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and other specialist units are resisting attempts by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul for them to undergo polygraph tests.
Secretary of the Police Second Division, Noel Chase, said his organisation has already instructed its members not to undergo polygraph testing pending legal advice on the matter.
He said that an attorney is reviewing the matter and that members would be updated on the issue next week.
Chase said that polygraph testing should not be mandatory. Media reports yesterday said that at least 10 officers from the elite Anti-Kidnapping Squad were transferred out of the unit after they failed polygraph tests.
Since 2003, police officers have been subjected to polygraph testing which is carried out by civilians, but officers who want to join specialist units have been told that one of the qualifications for entry is polygraph testing.
