Benjamin to Receive Treatment in T&T

By Kisean Joseph

kisean.joseph@antiguaobserver.com

The Police Welfare Association (PWA) says arrangements to medically evacuate an injured senior officer are now in place, with the process awaiting only confirmation of an aircraft.

Chairman Virlica Chatham said officers had gathered outside police headquarters on American Road earlier in the week in support of Senior Sergeant Jeffery Benjamin, who was severely injured in a traffic accident. She said the PWA had pressed authorities to fast-track his evacuation after facing initial delays.

“We are just awaiting the itinerary,” Chatham said. “Everything is in place, just awaiting the aircraft.”

She also added that Benjamin will be flown to Southern Medical Services Trinidad and Tobago, where he is scheduled to undergo specialized treatment.

Chatham said the PWA is satisfied that all necessary documentation, authorisation and confirmation have now been secured on Benjamin’s behalf.

“We are satisfied that we did everything in our power to get all the documentation, the authorisation, the confirmation, and everything in place,” Chatham said. “It is just the officer’s response. At the end of the day, this can happen to anyone.”

Chatham said the association had engaged directly with senior leaders to press the urgency of the case.

“We spoke to leaders, telling them this is what we wanna get done in a short time,” she said.

The developments follow earlier criticism from Chatham, who had accused authorities of stalling Benjamin’s treatment over unclear insurance coverage information for police officers. She had said the treating institution had initially declined to proceed without a full itemised quotation.

Benjamin, who has served in the force for almost 30 years, was described by Inspector Findlay as a dedicated officer who “goes beyond the call of duty”.