Secretary of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association, Insp Michael Seales, was granted $75,000 bail at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court yesterday afternoon after he appeared charged with making a seditious statement on June 24 last year.
Seales, who is currently contesting the presidency in the body’s upcoming election, appeared before Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers-Caesar and was represented by Pamela Elder, SC, and Owen Hinds.
Elder informed the court Seales was a serving member of the T&T Police Service and as such had an unblemished record. She added that during his 28-year career he had received many commendations, including from the US Department of Justice.
Seales was arrested on a warrant at the association’s Besson Street Police Station office. The arrest warrant carried with it $75,000 bail with surety.
His wife, Nicole Hospedales, was allowed to be used as his surety after the Chief Magistrate informed her of the seriousness of her vow to ensure both she and Seales attend court on every occasion the matter was called. Ayers-Caesar then adjourned the matter to July 20.
Seales was supported in court by Hospedales and association members, Insp Anand Ramesar and Insp Ian Carty. He has been on suspension since June last year. It would have expired tomorrow and elections three days later.
It is alleged that Seales made the seditious statement on June 24 last year during a live interview on TV6 Morning Edition. He had claimed there was then an alleged plot by the People’s Partnership government to frustrate the Police Service to react in such a way that there would be a need for a state of emergency, thereby stalling the September 7 general election.
Seales made the comment during the heightened wage negotiations and was suspended the following day by acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams. In a release then, Williams said he made the decision “as a result of an allegation of serious misconduct.”
Speaking outside the courthouse yesterday, incumbent president of the association, Ramesar, said he stood in solidarity with his secretary.
“Having spoken to the membership, the view is that Michael is going to be the next president of the Police Association,” Ramesar said.
“He has the backing of the police and let the authorities know, we will be supporting him all the way and we have full faith in the legal system and that he will be exonerated from these allegations.
“This is just a small hiccup in the path and we are still of full faith that it will change nothing for next week’s elections,” he added.