In the latest development in a months long probe into corruption within the Firearms Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, two senior police officers have now been charged with misbehavior in public office, for issuing gun licenses without proper authority.

Assistant Superintendent Aaron Beddoe and Sergeant David Swanson were each charged with one count of  Misbehaviour in Public Office to wit Conspiring together with other persons by approving several variation letters to facilitate the purchase of firearm and/or ammunition without lawful authority.

ASP Beddoe was also charged with six counts of Misbehaviour in
Public Office to wit by Approving Variation of Firearm Users License
without lawful authority, while Sgt David Swanson was charged with nine counts of the same offence. 

ASP Beddoe, 56, of Riverside Road, Curepe, who was last attached to the North-Central Division and Sgt David Swanson, 45, of Oropune Gardens, Piarco, who was last attached to the Firearms Permit Unit, were first arrested during an exercise on Tuesday, after extensive enquires were conducted by the Financial Investigations Bureau (FIB) and Professional Standards Bureau (PSB).

According to police reports, between February 2021 and April 2021, ASP Beddoe, being the First Division Officer in charge of the Firearms Permit Unit, together with Sgt Swanson, who was acting in the capacity of an Inspector of Police at the Firearms Permit Unit, allegedly approved several variation approval letters and minutes for Firearm Users Licenses without lawful authority.

Investigations are still continuing as the team of officers are to again approach the Director of Public Prosecutions with respect to other offences.