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BLOGGER and social media activist Vishal Persad has launched a freedom of information (FOI) project titled “The State Police,” aimed at uncovering details about the involvement of UK forensic investigator Kate McMahon and her firm, Edmonds Marshall McMahon (EMM), in police investigations in Trinidad and Tobago.

On February 18, Persad’s legal team—attorneys Kiel Taklalsingh, Keron Ramkhalwhan, and Anwar Hosein—submitted a formal request to acting Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin. The request seeks official documents that reveal the terms of any contracts between the police service and McMahon or EMM, the payments made to date, and any communications between McMahon, EMM, the police service, and the Estate Management and Business Development Company Ltd (EMBD).

According to the letter, media reports suggested that the government contracted and funded McMahon and her firm to work alongside the police on various investigations. Of particular concern were statements reportedly made by former CoP Gary Griffith, who said there were ethical concerns about these arrangements and that the government’s involvement created “confrontation” during his tenure.