Police officer commits suicide ... After being named as a wanted man

 PORT-OF-SPAIN (CMC):

A police officer committed suicide hours after a photo of him appeared on a television programme hosted by a senior police officer that he was a fugitive from the law.

Constable Christopher Madeira, who had been on suspension from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), died after he ingested a quantity of weedicide on Tuesday.

His picture had been posted on the television programme 'Beyond the Tape', co-hosted by Inspector Roger Alexander.

The post carried the words "The first member of the protective services to grace the 'Wall of Shame' is Christopher Madeira. If you see Madeira, do not approach or confront him, since he is considered armed and extremely dangerous ... . Instead, call ANY police station, 623-0362/ 4968 or send an e-mail to beyondthetape@tv6tnt.com if you have information that could help the police capture this fugitive from the law".

Under his photograph, it stated he was wanted for two charges of misbehaving in public office and failure to appear in court.

The charges alleged that he and another police officer, Corporal Lennox John, knowingly and wilfully handed over a loaded firearm and a bulletproof vest belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

OTHER CHARGE

Madeira, who was last stationed at the Scarborough Police Station in Tobago, was also charged separately with handing over a loaded pistol and a bulletproof vest.

He was released on TT$150,000 (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) bail, and ordered to surrender his passport to the court and report to the Scarborough Police Station twice weekly.

Pathologist Dr Valery Alexandrov, who performed the autopsy Tuesday, said that he found approximately 200 cubic centimetres of the substance in his stomach, which amounted to approximately a regular-size glass.

"The major problem is that there is no antidote. So it doesn't matter if someone drinks one teaspoon or a bottle. The result is the same," the pathologist added.