Philipsburg:--- Four police officers are now the subject of an investigation that is being conducted by the police internal affairs to determine if the officers sold their votes. SMN News learnt that at least four police officers received monies from the United Peoples Party in exchange for their votes. SMN News learnt that two officers, a VKS and a civil servant working at the police station went to the UP head office in Pointe Blanche to control a crowd that was misbehaving. The source said when the officers reached the scene they were invited inside the office and monies were offered to them. SMN News further learnt that later that day someone working at the UP office called the officers informing them that their monies were ready to be picked up. "At that point the two police officers identified as C.L.R.C and A.M. sent the VKS R.J Sr. to pick up their monies. The person at the UP office gave R.J four envelopes containing $300 for each of the officers, but R.J got greedy and he opened the envelope supposedly belonging to the civil servant identified as G.W and distributed it among the two officers and himself." SMN News learnt that when G.W did not get her share of monies she contacted the UP office and she was informed that her envelope was also picked up. SMN News learnt that at that point G.W freaked out and began using obscene language saying she needed her share of money to pay her rent. The source said at that point the watch comander intervened and brought the matter to the attention of the acting chief of police.Sources close to the investigation say that if internal affairs is able to prove that the officers sold their votes then they will be suspended or fired depending on what comes out of the investigation.
Chief Commissioner of Police Peter De Witte confirmed that while he was off island the acting chief of police Carl John initiated the investigation based on constant rumors. De Witte said the investigation currently taking place is more like a fact finding investigation. "We need to know if they were given monies and for what" De Witte said.
Earlier SMN News released an article which stated that officers of the law were part of the crowd of people that was seen at the UP head office in Pointe Blanche seeking monetary and electronic gifts in exchange for their votes. SMN News learnt that some officers requested flat screen televisions while others asked for laptops and blackberries.
