HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — A 49-year-old Barbados-born police officer has been suspended after being charged in court with tipping off a woman linked to a money-laundering investigation.

Emmerson Carrington, who joined the Bermuda Police Service (BPS) in 2003, pleaded not guilty in Magistrates’ Court yesterday to disclosing information to another person that was likely to prejudice an investigation that was about to be conducted into money laundering, knowing or suspecting that a police officer was proposing to act in connection with that investigation.

Carrington, who is also a leading cricket umpire, served with the Royal Barbados Police Service for 17 years before coming to Bermuda.

The offence allegedly took place on November 29, 2013.

Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Cindy Clarke told the court that the offence attracted a maximum sentence of three years’ imprisonment or a US $15,000 fine.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo granted Carrington US$10,000 bail on condition he has no contact with the woman, and adjourned the matter to October 13 for mention.

Assistant Police Commissioner Martin Weekes said Carrington had been suspended pending the outcome of the case.

“A serving police officer appeared in Magistrates’ Court today charged with an offence in relation to an ongoing investigation. The officer is currently suspended pending the outcome of the court case.

“As this matter is now before the courts the BPS will have no further comment on this matter until the conclusion of the case,” Weekes said following Carrington’s court appearance.