PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC -Two police officers will return to court on April 14 after they were charged with multiple offenses of misbehavior in public office.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) in a statement said that Constables Stefano Haban and Alani Prima, who appeared in the Arima Magistrates’ Court, east of here, on Tuesday, are currently detained at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Center.
According to the TTPS, the two were arrested and formally charged following an investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) into allegations of misconduct arising from a report made on March 16, 2026, concerning an incident that allegedly occurred two days earlier along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.
The police said that an unidentified 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.
The TTPS said that while transporting the driver to a police station, the officers instead drove to an area 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 EC$20,000 (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cent) from the victim and required an immediate payment of EC$10,000. The victim was allegedly taken to an ATM and instructed to withdraw cash, which he did at the officers’ direction. He was also allegedly threatened with further consequences if the remaining balance was not paid.”
The TTPS said that the officers are also accused of taking cash from the victim’s wallet during the incident.
It said that following an investigation by the Professional Standards Bureau both officers have been jointly charged with, misbehaviour in public office, namely kidnapping; misbehaviour in public office, namely corruptly and dishonestly obtaining EC$10,000 and that Constable Haban faces several further charges, including attempting to corruptly and dishonestly obtain EC$20,000, larceny of EC$1,200, multiple counts of attempting to obtain additional sums of money and corruptly and dishonestly obtaining EC$500..
“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service reiterates its zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and misconduct within its ranks. The TTPS remains committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining public trust,” the statement added.
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