A police constable in Trinidad and Tobago was suspended after threatening legal action against the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) regarding his body piercings and a fire ritual performed while on duty. The suspension, effective August 5, was ordered by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro following previous warnings about the officer’s nose ring and earring, as well as his lighting a small flame at the La Horquetta Police Station for a prayer. The constable’s legal team issued a pre-action protocol letter on August 4, claiming the officer’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression, religion, and conscience were violated, demanding the withdrawal of disciplinary notices against him. The officer had returned from leave on July 17 with fresh piercings, which led to complaints and subsequent disciplinary actions. He reported feeling humiliated and faced physical pain when ordered to remove the piercings, which he attempted to cover with a facemask. After lighting the flame for prayer out of stress, he received three disciplinary notices and was escorted off the compound without collecting his belongings. His attorneys warned they would take the issue to the High Court if not resolved within 28 days, yet he was suspended pending further investigation, with full pay.
