Q: Are police officers allowed to purchase alcohol while in
uniform? I had a serious debate with a police officer friend of mine who said
it’s allowed.
A: This is a clear indication that some members of the
Trinidad and Tobago Police Service are absolutely clueless about their job duties and responsibilities.
Police officers CANNOT consume alcohol while on duty/in
uniform, according to the Police Service Regulations 2007:
Regulation 150(2) Without prejudice to
the generality of sub-regulation (1), an officer is liable to be charged with a
disciplinary offence if he commits any of the following:
(l) Drunkenness,
or drug taking, that is to say, if an officer, while on or required for duty,
is unfit for duty through the taking of intoxicating liquor or dangerous drugs;
(m) Drinking on
duty or soliciting drink, that is to say, if an officer—
(i) drinks intoxicating liquor while he is on duty; or
(ii) demands, or endeavours to persuade any other person to give him, or
to purchase or obtain for him, any intoxicating liquor while he is on duty;
(iii) reports for duty under the influence of intoxicating liquor or
with the odour of intoxicating liquor on his breath;
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It is also illegal to sell alcohol to a police officer, according to the Police Service Act 2006, as amended.
Section 61(1) A person who—
(a) knowingly harbours or
entertains or, either directly or indirectly, sells or gives any intoxicating
liquor to a police officer who is on duty;
(b) knowingly permits a police
officer to remain in his house, except in case of extreme urgency, when on
duty; or
(c) by threats or by offer of
money, gift, intoxicating liquor or any other thing, induces or endeavours to
induce a police officer to commit a breach of his duty,
is liable on summary conviction to a fine of fifteen
thousand dollars and to imprisonment for one year.
