Police expected to wrap up probe this week

Driver’s theoretical test

The investigation into the massive irregularities unearthed in the learner driver’s theoretical test, written on April 12, and discovered on April 17, is expected to conclude this week.
This was confirmed on Monday by a senior rank close to the investigation, who told this newspaper that the investigations had been expected to conclude on Friday last, but more time was requested for the probe.
He also informed that no date has as yet been set for students to rewrite the examination.
The source said this is not the first time such an irregularity has been discovered. He said there was a similar case in one of the Policing Divisions, but declined to disclose which division. He would only say that in that particular case there were 20 extra examination scripts submitted. He noted that 80 persons were scheduled to sit the exam, 72 actually turned up to write the exam, but 92 scripts were submitted to the invigilators.
He informed that in that case also, the students were required to re-sit the exam. However, although all the students were contacted to rewrite the examination, a mere 15 persons turned up.
A statement from the GPF has detailed that a report was lodged by a senior pastor — the Force’s Chaplain — to Commissioner of Police (ag) David Ramnarine and to an invigilator of the April 12 examination.
The allegation contained in that report is that 174 persons were registered to write the examination but 106 persons presented themselves to so do on the day in question; however, 207 scripts were received at conclusion of the examination, and 155 of 207 scripts were completed.”
Police say initial inquires reveal that a senior subordinate officer who was mandated to oversee this theoretical examination, in collaboration with two Pastors from the COPS and Faith Community Network partnership with the GPF and along with three junior ranks, left the venue shortly after the examination commenced, and did not return.
Further, it was reported that a junior subordinate officer who ought not to have been at the examination venue presented himself, spent some time, and left subsequently.
“The three constables left the examination venue prior to the counting of the examination scripts by members of the COPS and Faith Community Network after the conclusion of the examination,” the Police report said.
This newspaper understands that only the two pastors of the COPS and Faith Community Network were left in possession of the completed examination papers.
According to the Police, preliminary inquiries revealed a complete breach of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) governing the administration and conduct of the learner driver’s theoretical examination.