TWO police officers who were on traffic duties in downtown Port of Spain yesterday are now at the centre of an investigation after a confrontation with chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Nizam Mohammed.

Colleagues of WPC Marlene Gittens and PC Sean Batson yesterday expressed concern that with the "stroke of a pen" the officers could be dismissed from the service, for simply performing their duties.

Even before the officers returned to the Central Police Station on St Vincent Street, on a break during their tour of duty, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jack Ewatski had sent a telephone message to the station, requesting a report on the incident, where Mohammed allegedly disobeyed a traffic instruction and was pulled over by the police officers.

Contacted last evening, Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs said while he was aware of the incident he was yet to receive a report.

Gibbs said, "The reports are being dealt with through the staff here and through one of the deputies (Jack Ewatski) here. Mr Mohammed wasn't able to reach me because I was in fact in other meetings.

"I don't know all the details, as you indicated to me, because I haven't received the reports yet so I cannot make comment on it...I have spoken to Mr Mohammed, but again, I am not investigating what took place, so until I have all the facts, I can't make any comment on what could take place," Gibbs said.

Told of the fear among officers that two Special Reserve Police officers could be dismissed for performing their duties, Gibbs said he could not say what the outcome of the matter would be until it was properly investigated.

The incident between Mohammed and the officers occurred around 12.40 p.m., while Gittens and Batson were directing traffic at the corner of Henry Street and Independence Square in Port of Spain.

Batson and Gittens, who were dressed in police uniform, were directing three lanes of traffic, one of which was proceeding onto Henry Street, heading north, while the other two lanes were proceeding east.

According to a statement given by the officers, a police source said, a black KIA Sportage SUV was proceeding on the centre lane and attempted to turn unto Henry Street.

Gittens, who was in front of the SUV, signaled to the driver to proceed east, but the driver of the SUV stopped the vehicle and identified himself as Nizam Mohammed, chairman of the Police Service Commission.

According to the statements, Mohammed told the officers he wanted to go up Henry Street because his office was located on Queen Street, but Gittens told Mohammed he had to continue east along Independence Square.

Gittens stated that Mohammed subsequently disobeyed her instructions and drove off onto Henry Street. She and Batson pursued Mohammed's vehicle, on foot, and caught up with it as it got stuck in traffic along the roadway.

Mohammed, the statement read, was ordered to pull his vehicle to the side of the roadway near the Puma Store, and asked to produce his driver's permit and insurance certificate.

Officers said Mohammed handed over his driver's permit and insurance and rolled up his window. Mohammed then made a call on his cell phone and later reportedly told Gittens that "the Commissioner" was on the phone and he wished to speak with her.

In response, officers said Gittens told Mohammed that she could not take the call since she was performing traffic duties.

After the officers recorded information from Mohammed's driving documents, he was allowed to leave.

In their report, Gittens and Batson, who have four years service, recommended that Mohammed be charged with failing to comply with a lawful instruction and causing an unnecessary obstruction.