POLICE officers are questioning the sudden transfer of head of the Operations Unit (South) ASP Premchan Ramdath who they said had been doing “quite a good job” in the Southern Division.

Officers attached to the unit are blaming a People’s National Movement (PNM) Councillor who, sources revealed, is a close associate of an infamous nightclub owner, for “pulling rank” and affecting the immediate transfer of a “hard-working senior officer”.

“We are appalled at what transpired just a little over two weeks ago,” one concerned officer told TnT Mirror.

“He has been holding the unit together and we have been having success.

“Just as we were beginning to make a real difference in the crime situation in the south, they had him transferred.”

The officers are convinced that the sudden move on their boss was as a result of the Unit’s recent crackdown on the illegal immigrants who worked in the nightclubs, and the effect their intervention has had on that industry since then.

An officer also told of allegations of a fallout between the Assistant Superintendent and a top cop.

“The fallout also had something to do with his transfer.”

The disgruntled cop further explained: “We are hearing that it’s because of the kind of pressure we created when we raided several nightclubs and arrested scores of illegal Venezuelan and Colombian dancers living and working there.

“We know the move hurt their industry badly, but we were only doing our job.”

He said because of the relationship the businessman shared with the councillor, she took matters in her own hands and complained.

“She used all the weight she has in political circles to do damage to our unit,” he added, “but we will continue to do our duty despite the circumstances.”

He said the Unit was forced to work without proper resources, but that the officers still managed to get by.

He sang the praises of San Fernando Mayor Ian Atherly who he said continues to offer them tremendous support in getting the job done.

“Despite what might be said about him, he has supported our Unit well by providing us with vehicles whenever we need to go after the criminals,” he disclosed.

“Look how quickly we arrested the young men responsible for the recent shooting death of a patron, Gerard Alibocas, at the Cover Girl Bar in San Fernando. That was not by guess; our intelligence down here is working.

“All we can say is that just as a team is working good, somebody always comes along and mash it up.”

ASP Terry Archibald who has been described as a no-nonsense officer has taken over the reins of the Unit.

“He is a good officer and we know the good work will continue in the Division.”

ASP Ramdath is now at the Point Fortin Police Station.