A Police Sergeant who was charged with assaulting a civilian in 2018, has been granted a $50,000 bail with surety.

Sergeant Curtis Applewhite appeared before a Port of Spain Magistrate on Thursday.

Sergeant Applewhite was arrested and charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm by officers of the Professional Standards Bureau.

This was based on advice given by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Roger Gaspard SC. 

The officer’s arrest arose out of an incident which allegedly occurred on Saturday 19th August, 2018, where it is alleged that the virtual complainant was in San Juan and began filming a crime scene on his video recorder.

The virtual complainant alleged that the accused advanced and shoved him repeatedly in his chest and shouted, “I do not want any cameras behind here”.

The virtual complainant alleged that he began experiencing severe chest pains and sought medical attention at the Chaguanas Health Facility.

The virtual complainant was subsequently detained pending enquiries, however, during the course of the investigation several persons were interviewed, statements recorded, CCTV footage and a medical report obtained were all in favour of the virtual complainant.

On Thursday 7th February, 2019, Sgt Applewhite was interviewed by police and was told of the report under investigation and informed that he was a suspect in relation the report by the virtual complainant.

On Wednesday 26th August, 2020, a consultation was held with the DPP and he advised that Sgt Applewhite be charged.

The matter was postponed to Wednesday 11th November, 2020.