Beyond The Tape : Wednesday 11th October 2023

CCNTV6

Watch Beyond The Tape : Wednesday 11th October 2023 - CCNTV6 on Dailymotion

Transcript

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00:00:53 - Beyond the Tape will be back after these messages.

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00:01:57 - Don't miss David Rutter's final concert

00:02:03 at Show Park Cultural Complex in Tobago.

00:02:06 On Sunday, 22nd October,

00:02:07 see the iconic performer

00:02:09 in his last live onstage appearance.

00:02:12 For a limited time only,

00:02:13 book your stay at the Comfort Inn and Suites

00:02:15 and get free tickets to the show

00:02:17 for only 6.99 per person per night

00:02:19 based on double occupancy.

00:02:21 Contact them now at 612-3835

00:02:24 or visitations@comfortsuitestobago.com.

00:02:27 - Celebrate their lives

00:02:33 with a special All Saints Memorial

00:02:35 in the Express Classifieds.

00:02:38 Book today to honor your loved ones.

00:02:40 (upbeat music)

00:02:48 (upbeat music)

00:02:51 - Maybe you could afford to pay up to $22,500 in fines

00:03:16 and lose your license permanently.

00:03:19 No?

00:03:20 Then don't drink and drive.

00:03:22 - A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

00:03:27 (indistinct)

00:03:30 - And a very special good afternoon

00:03:39 from Trinidad and Tobago.

00:03:40 I'm Marlon Hopkins.

00:03:41 And as always, welcome to another program

00:03:42 of "Beyond the Tape" on TV6.

00:03:44 A very special good afternoon

00:03:45 to our friends in the US and the UK and Canada.

00:03:48 A very special good afternoon

00:03:50 to our friends in the Middle East and South Africa,

00:03:53 all across the world that is viewing us right now.

00:03:57 Also, a very special good afternoon

00:03:59 to our friends all across the Caribbean

00:04:01 and also in Grenada.

00:04:04 Not forgetting Grenada.

00:04:05 Grenada is always locked on

00:04:08 to see what is happening in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:04:13 All right?

00:04:14 Well, look at this.

00:04:15 Look at this.

00:04:17 Look at this.

00:04:19 As a former senior superintendent would say,

00:04:22 "Look at this.

00:04:23 Where is he?"

00:04:25 The cheese stands alone.

00:04:27 The cheese stands alone.

00:04:29 Without acting like I'm on a political platform,

00:04:33 I'll have to say, "Where is he?

00:04:36 Where is he?

00:04:37 When you need him, I am here.

00:04:39 But where is he?"

00:04:41 But we'll get back to him a little later.

00:04:43 We'll get back to him a little later.

00:04:46 All right?

00:04:46 Not tonight.

00:04:47 Not tonight.

00:04:48 (laughs)

00:04:50 All right, so as you know, today is Wednesday

00:04:52 and we do have Corporal Zaheer Ali,

00:04:55 attorney at law.

00:04:56 He's here.

00:04:57 That's the gentleman.

00:04:58 Look, he's here.

00:05:00 But where is he?

00:05:02 Come in, Mr. Ali.

00:05:03 - Alan.

00:05:04 Mara, let me just indicate that you are not alone.

00:05:07 - Yeah.

00:05:08 - And by extension, let me indicate to Trinidad and Tobago

00:05:11 that they are not alone,

00:05:12 especially in these challenging times.

00:05:14 Just to briefly account for my senior superintendent,

00:05:18 he's presently on active duty.

00:05:21 As we speak, there's a lot that is happening.

00:05:23 And also, let me take this opportunity

00:05:25 to echo the sentiments of the commission of police.

00:05:29 That in the recent shooting,

00:05:32 or the attempts at the prison authority,

00:05:35 that an investigation has been launched.

00:05:39 It is ongoing.

00:05:40 And the safety and security of the law enforcement agencies,

00:05:44 as well as the community,

00:05:45 is a top priority for the commissioner

00:05:47 and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

00:05:49 I just want to echo those sentiments

00:05:51 on behalf of the commissioner of police and the executive.

00:05:54 And good evening to family on Biondi tape

00:05:57 and good evening to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago

00:06:00 and persons who are in other jurisdictions

00:06:03 who may be viewing or listening to the program, Alan.

00:06:05 - All right.

00:06:06 So let's get into that video of that situation.

00:06:09 The gun attack this morning in the Barataria area.

00:06:12 But no, it was a person who was shot.

00:06:17 That person is still with us, right?

00:06:19 He is, right?

00:06:20 So that person was shot.

00:06:22 He is the driver of the deputy prisons commissioner.

00:06:28 And just touching on a statement

00:06:31 from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

00:06:33 The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

00:06:35 is currently investigating an incident

00:06:37 where prison officer Steve Phipps,

00:06:39 the driver of the deputy commissioner of prisons

00:06:41 was shot and wounded this morning in Barataria.

00:06:44 Commissioner of police, Erla Christopher stated,

00:06:46 "I want to assure the public that the safety

00:06:48 "and wellbeing of our law enforcement officers

00:06:50 "and the community remains our top priority.

00:06:53 "And we intend to use all the resources at our disposal

00:06:57 "to apprehend those responsible for this attack."

00:07:00 She added that the investigation has already begun

00:07:03 and the TTPS is working alongside the prison service

00:07:06 in this matter.

00:07:08 All right, this was a statement earlier today.

00:07:10 And of course the police service had a news conference

00:07:13 at 1.30 today.

00:07:14 I suspect TV6 would have covered that.

00:07:16 So you'll find out a little more in the TV6 news

00:07:19 at seven this evening.

00:07:21 But you know, officer Ali,

00:07:23 if I'm to bring you into this discussion

00:07:26 concerning this matter here,

00:07:27 it seems that a new line was crossed today

00:07:30 concerning this situation.

00:07:32 - Well, I don't want to respond in the context

00:07:35 of whether in fact a new line, per se, Marlon.

00:07:38 What I would like to respond to this particular issue

00:07:41 is that we, over the period of time,

00:07:44 we have seen that brazen response,

00:07:49 if I should say that, from the criminal element.

00:07:52 And that attack on the institution,

00:07:57 the prison institution of Accenture Law Enforcement,

00:08:02 that is in fact a very serious matter.

00:08:04 So where we had before gangs warring each other,

00:08:08 on a horizontal context,

00:08:09 now we are seeing that the institution of deceit

00:08:12 is being targeted.

00:08:13 And that in itself is very, very serious.

00:08:15 It's a serious concern.

00:08:16 I have a lot to say.

00:08:18 Unfortunately, I cannot say it on this particular program

00:08:22 for various reasons, but definitely I want to agree with you

00:08:24 that the targeting of the law enforcement agencies

00:08:29 is definitely a cause for concern at this time.

00:08:34 - Yeah, and of course you all will know

00:08:37 that this is not the first time

00:08:39 that prison officials have been targeted by criminals.

00:08:43 In fact, there was a situation many years ago

00:08:45 where a prisons commissioner would have been killed.

00:08:48 Yeah, Commissioner Hercules, yeah?

00:08:53 So it's not the first time.

00:08:55 And over the years, we have seen these attacks grow

00:08:58 against police officers.

00:09:00 Of course, there has been a lull recently,

00:09:03 but we're seeing this attack today.

00:09:06 And hopefully this is not the beginning of things to come.

00:09:11 So also last evening, last night rather,

00:09:18 on Arrepita Avenue, there was also an attack,

00:09:22 a murderous attack where an individual

00:09:26 would have been killed.

00:09:29 So the details tell us that one man is dead

00:09:31 and at least two others injured after gunmen opened fire

00:09:35 on a Toyota wagon motor car near the intersection

00:09:37 of Carlos Street and Arrepita Avenue, Woodbrook

00:09:40 shortly after 11 p.m.

00:09:42 Now, according to reports, the deceased is known

00:09:46 in the entertainment industry as DJ Global

00:09:49 and has been identified as 28-year-old

00:09:51 Kavir Alvin Nandram.

00:09:54 Now, investigations are continuing.

00:09:57 And just incidentally, as I was saying this morning,

00:10:00 Carlos Street, for those who know the Woodbrook area,

00:10:03 this is very, very close to the Woodbrook police station.

00:10:06 It's just a stone's throw away.

00:10:09 Literally, you could take a stone and pelt it

00:10:13 and get to Carlos Street from the police station.

00:10:17 So again, another brazen attack

00:10:20 where there is the perception,

00:10:22 and apparently the perception is becoming real now,

00:10:26 that people just have no respect for law

00:10:29 and law enforcement.

00:10:30 So they are going to do what they want to do.

00:10:34 People are not waiting for two, three o'clock

00:10:36 in the morning anymore, right?

00:10:37 Seven o'clock in the morning, eight o'clock in the morning.

00:10:40 So it's very, very brazen now.

00:10:43 - Well, I want to agree with you, Marlon.

00:10:44 Over the period, we have seen that many sectors

00:10:46 of the society, many different stakeholders,

00:10:49 whether it be the education system,

00:10:51 whether it be the general community,

00:10:53 now we are seeing law enforcement.

00:10:55 It is very clear that crime and criminality

00:11:01 if we are not careful with crime and criminality,

00:11:04 it will continue to impact many different sectors

00:11:06 of society.

00:11:08 And what we have seen this morning,

00:11:10 as the most recent, targeting the institutions,

00:11:16 the institution that was entrusted to defend this nation,

00:11:20 protect this nation,

00:11:22 is now under attack by the criminal elements.

00:11:24 So if we were looking for something, Marlon,

00:11:28 we have been speaking, we have been advocating

00:11:31 for various approaches to be taken, prompt discussions.

00:11:35 If we are looking for something to move us into action,

00:11:40 again, and I'm sorry to be using this situation.

00:11:43 This was a trap to life this morning,

00:11:46 an attempted murder, if I should go as far.

00:11:48 I mean, it's subject to an investigation,

00:11:49 but using deadly force.

00:11:52 That in itself should be sufficient to not move us,

00:11:56 and I mean move us meaning all the stakeholders

00:12:00 and the community into immediate action.

00:12:02 We've been calling for it, but here it is, an attack.

00:12:06 May I also take this opportunity, Marlon,

00:12:08 and I know the senior superintendent is not here,

00:12:09 but it's important for me to share that legal

00:12:13 and policing platform this afternoon,

00:12:15 in the context of inviting members of the public

00:12:18 or reminding members of the public

00:12:19 with reference to those crimes and crimes

00:12:21 that have been committed to do not

00:12:26 or use the opportunity, and I hope probably

00:12:31 in this program we'll be happy for persons to call in

00:12:34 and share some intelligence in relation

00:12:37 to those heinous crimes so that we can start moving,

00:12:42 moving into action, so I'm pleading

00:12:45 with the members of the public to,

00:12:47 if you have intelligence, if you have information,

00:12:50 please provide it through the necessary medium.

00:12:51 We have the 555, we have the Crime Stoppers,

00:12:54 we have the 999, I'm also asking on this program,

00:12:58 and I take this liberty to ask that even on this program,

00:13:00 if you have intelligence that can treat immediately

00:13:03 with this crime, please feel free to communicate

00:13:05 and leave your number and we'll find a way

00:13:07 to get back to you, so I'm making this plea

00:13:08 on behalf of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

00:13:10 in an effort to bring the community in

00:13:13 to see if we can now have a quick detection

00:13:16 and prosecution of these matters.

00:13:17 - All right, we do have another video for you.

00:13:19 This was the scene in the vicinity of the traffic lights

00:13:23 in Trin City last night.

00:13:25 Yeah, so from what we're seeing,

00:13:31 and that is going to come into focus pretty, pretty soon,

00:13:34 that is the body of a lady who was discovered on the highway.

00:13:39 Of course, we're hearing a number of reports

00:13:42 concerning this matter, but it's safe to say

00:13:44 that investigations are continuing into that matter.

00:13:48 All right, we do have, all right.

00:13:53 Officer Ali, I'm not sure if we would have spoken to you

00:13:58 after the budget, did we?

00:14:00 I'm not sure.

00:14:03 It was on a Monday, so you would have appeared here

00:14:05 on a Wednesday, but it seems like we didn't speak

00:14:08 about that at all.

00:14:09 Of course, one of the main points in the budget

00:14:13 is this recruitment exercise where the police commissioner

00:14:17 has been told, well, here's what,

00:14:19 you can now recruit 1,000 police officers.

00:14:23 We're also seeing where $80 million has been allocated

00:14:27 for the purchase of new vehicles.

00:14:29 I'm seeing in his contribution to the budget

00:14:34 with the Minister of National Security

00:14:36 is also saying that new equipment in the form of cameras

00:14:40 and so on are coming.

00:14:43 Do you have a view on all of these new initiatives?

00:14:47 - Well, Malang, what I would say is that those

00:14:52 allocation, and I use the word allocation,

00:14:54 until the budget is approved,

00:14:56 is definitely something that should be welcome.

00:15:01 Resources in any format, whether it be human resource,

00:15:04 whether it be other forms of resource is important.

00:15:09 But as I said on this program before,

00:15:11 that the present resources that we are possessed with

00:15:15 as the TTPS, I would like to humbly see a deep analysis

00:15:21 of the resources to determine whether in fact

00:15:24 they are being effectively deployed.

00:15:26 And effectively deployed in the context of

00:15:28 what is the required response.

00:15:31 So there's a particular state of affairs that is unfolding,

00:15:34 and the question is whether in fact the resources

00:15:36 that are available is being effectively deployed.

00:15:39 Now, I know that the police commissioner

00:15:40 and the strategic plan speaks about operational excellence,

00:15:45 and hence why I'm actually leaning on that side.

00:15:47 Now, if after a deep analysis we recognize,

00:15:49 okay, there's areas that is a deficiency

00:15:51 in terms of the human resource or other resources,

00:15:53 well then the allocations will come, that's timely.

00:15:58 But I don't want to go away with the focus that,

00:16:01 okay, we are hearing about 1,000 police officers,

00:16:03 and placing or premise our thinking or our planning

00:16:08 on the anticipation of 1,000 police officers

00:16:10 or the resources that's to come.

00:16:12 What I would, because at the end of the day,

00:16:13 that in itself will take some time.

00:16:15 Because to procure resources, whether it be vehicles,

00:16:18 and especially where we have the public procurement act,

00:16:23 that in itself is a process.

00:16:27 And then the recruitment, while it's okay,

00:16:29 recruit 1,000 police officers,

00:16:31 you wouldn't wake up one morning

00:16:32 and see additional 1,000 police officers.

00:16:35 So in the process, it's important for what we have now

00:16:40 to be effectively deployed so that 1,000 police officers,

00:16:44 when it comes, it can now treat

00:16:46 with the gaps that may be existing.

00:16:48 So that's my humble response to it,

00:16:49 but I welcome any addition to assist in the fight.

00:16:54 - Yeah, but you do need 1,000 police officers

00:16:58 that are ready to hit the street.

00:17:01 And last time when I heard about this 1,000 recruits,

00:17:06 I thought to myself almost immediately,

00:17:09 I'm just hoping that the vetting process

00:17:13 is very, very stringent.

00:17:14 Because you don't want a situation

00:17:16 where it has been spoken about,

00:17:19 it has been confirmed by police commissioners in the past

00:17:23 of what they call rogue police officers.

00:17:26 Officers who could be termed as delinquent

00:17:30 and not really serving the police service

00:17:34 how they should be serving the police service.

00:17:36 - Well, Marlon, another excellent, excellent,

00:17:38 excellent consideration.

00:17:39 And that now will contribute to the timing

00:17:42 of that 1,000 police officers.

00:17:44 Because if you are looking to recruit

00:17:46 and let's look at it with integrity,

00:17:48 that requires some due diligence,

00:17:50 it requires proper vetting,

00:17:53 polygraph examinations and so forth.

00:17:54 So I want to agree with you that that in fact

00:17:57 takes a process, but I also want to say on the other hand,

00:18:00 that while you are looking for police officers

00:18:02 with high integrity, it must not be a situation

00:18:05 where you are looking for integrity to enter.

00:18:08 But it should be a situation

00:18:09 where there's a continuous assessment

00:18:11 and vetting of police officers throughout the process,

00:18:14 even when they are in the service.

00:18:16 Because you can find someone with impeccable integrity

00:18:19 at the doorstep to enter the service.

00:18:22 But when they enter the service,

00:18:24 they are exposed to many different things.

00:18:26 And if they are not strong with their ethics

00:18:29 and their upbringing and not understanding

00:18:32 the rules and regulation of the organization,

00:18:34 they can easily be swayed.

00:18:36 And especially if they meet officers

00:18:38 who may have been around for a long time,

00:18:39 who they themselves may have been not straight.

00:18:43 So the point I'm bringing across

00:18:44 is that that assessment and vetting,

00:18:46 because we're looking at 1,000 police officers

00:18:48 to say, okay, we want high integrity.

00:18:51 Without casting a spurs on, the intelligence is there.

00:18:54 We also face a challenge with persons within,

00:18:57 who are, and who knows,

00:18:59 with the challenges we are facing with crime.

00:19:02 One may ask, is it really the criminal elements alone

00:19:05 that is causing these challenges,

00:19:07 or are they facilitated by other arms of law enforcement

00:19:10 or other public officials?

00:19:12 So those are very, very serious considerations.

00:19:14 So I want to agree with you that yes, proper vetting,

00:19:18 but we should be consistent in ensuring

00:19:21 that our police service,

00:19:23 throughout, we continue to have spot checks.

00:19:25 And may I say as well,

00:19:26 when you look at the Integrity in Public Life Act,

00:19:29 Marlon, legally speaking,

00:19:30 where that legislation, in my view,

00:19:35 should be extended to police officers,

00:19:37 because police officers are enjoying

00:19:40 very serious responsibility.

00:19:42 Sometimes we tend to downplay it

00:19:43 by very serious responsibility,

00:19:45 and you can be exposed to benefits

00:19:50 where it will be, if received,

00:19:53 be in contravention of the rules and regulations.

00:19:56 So we need to be checking these police officers

00:19:59 in our 360, not only at this stage of recruitment.

00:20:02 I know that in the police service,

00:20:03 you have persons who may leave from a station

00:20:06 and be recruited to a specialist section,

00:20:08 and they will go through a rigorous process.

00:20:10 But that is when you now leave

00:20:12 and to go to a specialist section.

00:20:13 But what if you are now remaining

00:20:15 in a division or a station?

00:20:17 I think that that you should also be under the microscope,

00:20:19 because you are interacting with the business community

00:20:21 and other stakeholders.

00:20:22 So I just wanted to share that with you this afternoon.

00:20:24 - All right.

00:20:25 Okay, so Corporal Zaheer Ali is here with us,

00:20:28 as he is here with us every Wednesday.

00:20:31 Hopefully the senior superintendent

00:20:33 will join us in the next few minutes.

00:20:35 But in the meantime, let's remind persons of our numbers,

00:20:38 623-1711.

00:20:40 The extensions are 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997.

00:20:45 All right, we are going to a very short break.

00:20:47 We'll return with some more information for you

00:20:50 and some calls.

00:20:52 All right, we're coming back.

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00:21:33 - Cipriani College, it's your turn.

00:21:35 Bacchanal bubble on bad behavior is here.

00:21:38 - I resold $2 million.

00:21:39 - Nice guy, and he's the last one.

00:21:40 - The hilarious Bacchanal bubble on bad behavior

00:21:43 comes to Cipriani College on Saturday, 14th of October

00:21:46 at 8.30 PM and Sunday, 15th at 6.30 PM.

00:21:49 - Police. - Police.

00:21:50 - Sergeant Alexander Rogers, Portisby, NCID.

00:21:52 - Tickets available at our usual outlets.

00:21:54 Check social media and press for further details.

00:21:57 - More police. - What?

00:21:59 - Detective Sergeant Haywood, Columbia Police.

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00:22:52 - All right, so welcome back everyone.

00:22:58 So Corporal Zaheer Ali, attorney at law,

00:23:01 he's here with us as he is here with us every Wednesday.

00:23:04 Let's take our first call.

00:23:06 Good afternoon caller.

00:23:08 - Hi, good afternoon Marlon.

00:23:10 Good afternoon sir.

00:23:11 - Yes.

00:23:12 - The legal guy, Mr. Ali.

00:23:14 - Yes, Officer Ali, yes.

00:23:15 Good afternoon ma'am.

00:23:16 - Officer Ali, hi, good afternoon.

00:23:18 I wanted to find out, as I told him yesterday,

00:23:22 about a warrant of distress, this filing in a station,

00:23:27 I don't know if I could call it a station,

00:23:28 anyhow, in Coover.

00:23:31 And it was levy to recover my,

00:23:34 some stuff from, with a bailiff, right?

00:23:39 One, when I went there, unfortunately,

00:23:43 when the bailiff went there, unfortunately,

00:23:45 he could not do his job because the person

00:23:48 locked him inside the garage

00:23:50 and went for police officers from the station.

00:23:53 Some detectives came and tell the warrant man

00:23:55 that he cannot do anything,

00:23:57 he can't leave anything there with him

00:23:59 because it is,

00:24:01 it is, he has to check all the documents

00:24:05 to make sure that it is the key.

00:24:07 I can understand that.

00:24:08 The officer, the bailiff showed him all his papers

00:24:11 and everything.

00:24:13 And the person, she went and get the person,

00:24:16 I don't know if the person, the legal,

00:24:18 station legal officer, right now,

00:24:20 we have the warrant of distress

00:24:24 and we cannot get any response from the person,

00:24:27 the officer in Coover.

00:24:29 It said the court stamped as a red flag,

00:24:32 I can't understand why, and it came from the court.

00:24:35 Detained, just 11 free,

00:24:39 from June to now.

00:24:41 Apparently, she know people

00:24:44 and she not doing anything in Coover station.

00:24:47 - Now, if I remember well,

00:24:50 you would have rented out

00:24:52 an apartment to this individual?

00:24:56 - A house, yes.

00:24:57 - A house to this individual.

00:24:58 This individual has stopped paying rent

00:25:00 for how many months now?

00:25:02 - From June, she received a letter to the case,

00:25:05 a month letter.

00:25:07 - And she's still there?

00:25:08 - And she's not moving.

00:25:10 - She's not moving, she has refused to move.

00:25:12 - The electricity bill reached $3,000

00:25:15 and went for the (indistinct)

00:25:18 and they ain't got it yet.

00:25:19 - Okay, Cora.

00:25:22 - Because I'm not paying it.

00:25:23 - Okay, Cora, because of the nature of this matter

00:25:27 and the excuse you have raised in this matter,

00:25:29 including engagement with the National Police,

00:25:32 what I wanna suggest to you,

00:25:33 I wanna advise you to leave your contact number

00:25:35 with Ms. Jackie and I'll speak to you thereafter

00:25:39 to see what, if any,

00:25:41 maybe your legal recourse in this matter.

00:25:42 So please exercise some patience in this matter

00:25:46 and may I advise you as well,

00:25:47 preserve the peace in the interim.

00:25:49 - Thank you.

00:25:50 We are, we just leave Vanessa's there until,

00:25:53 well, we return, we have a choice.

00:25:57 - Okay, well, just leave your number

00:25:58 and I'll communicate with you

00:25:59 and we'll see where we can take it within the rule of law.

00:26:02 - All right, thank you very much.

00:26:04 So remember, we are taking your calls.

00:26:05 You're calling us on 623-1711.

00:26:08 The extensions are 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997.

00:26:13 An 18-year-old male suspect

00:26:14 who was allegedly caught with a stolen vehicle

00:26:17 earlier this morning is now detained

00:26:19 at the San Guglielmo Police Station

00:26:20 assisting detectives with investigations.

00:26:23 Now, the stolen silver Nissan V14

00:26:26 is currently being processed by crime scene experts

00:26:29 after being recovered during an exercise

00:26:31 by officers of the Eastern Division

00:26:33 who responded to a report of larceny motor vehicle

00:26:36 in the San Gregrande District.

00:26:38 Let me tell you some of the details.

00:26:39 We do have a caller, but according to police reports

00:26:41 at around 11 p.m. on October 10th,

00:26:43 a man secured the vehicle by locking all doors and windows

00:26:47 and went into his home.

00:26:49 At 12.05, the man was standing in his gallery

00:26:52 when he observed that his vehicle drove off

00:26:55 onto the street without his permission.

00:26:57 Let's take a call.

00:26:58 Good afternoon, caller.

00:27:00 - Good afternoon.

00:27:01 - Yes, sir.

00:27:02 - Yes, sir.

00:27:03 - Well, when I listened to the conversation this evening

00:27:06 concerning the attack on the prison officers this morning,

00:27:10 I get the impression as if this is something new.

00:27:15 - It is something new.

00:27:16 It happened this morning.

00:27:17 - When I listened to how you all were speaking.

00:27:19 - Yes.

00:27:20 - You know, this is now an attack

00:27:22 on the law enforcement agency,

00:27:25 but the number of prison officers,

00:27:27 the most recent one being that gentleman

00:27:29 standing with his daughter,

00:27:32 the number of them killed, I think, is a large amount.

00:27:37 I mean, this is not a false attack.

00:27:39 So that attack has been going on for a number of years.

00:27:44 - Yeah, yeah.

00:27:45 And we even spoke about the attack

00:27:47 on Commissioner Hercules so many years ago.

00:27:49 - Well, that thing with Commissioner Hercules

00:27:52 was really a robbery attempt as against an all-out attack.

00:27:58 You know, these are hits being carried out.

00:28:02 You know?

00:28:04 So this has been going on for a number of years

00:28:06 and that has been very clear.

00:28:08 - Yes.

00:28:09 - Very, very clear, you know?

00:28:10 So what I find is that it's taken a long time

00:28:15 to hear the kind of talk that we're now hearing, you know?

00:28:20 - All right.

00:28:21 - Anyway, gentlemen, have a good afternoon.

00:28:22 I'll listen.

00:28:23 - All right, thank you very much.

00:28:24 I know that in the past,

00:28:25 the Prison Officers Association had called

00:28:28 for prison officers to be armed.

00:28:31 And I know that steps have been taken to do that.

00:28:35 And I suspect maybe that's the reason

00:28:38 why we have not seen so many attacks in recent years.

00:28:42 But this is a major one, the one that happened this morning.

00:28:45 If you're speaking about the Deputy Prisons Commissioner,

00:28:49 it is a major development and a major issue

00:28:54 that has to be dealt with

00:28:56 with those in law enforcement, I suspect.

00:28:58 Let's take a call.

00:28:59 Good afternoon, caller.

00:29:01 - Good afternoon, Marlon.

00:29:02 - Yes.

00:29:03 - Good afternoon, Officer Ali.

00:29:04 - Good afternoon, ma'am.

00:29:06 - Yes.

00:29:06 Officer Ali, concerning that same thing

00:29:09 with the officer, the prison officer,

00:29:12 what I'm wondering, because recently, very recent,

00:29:16 what has happened, I saw where they arrested

00:29:18 about 13 prisoners, the contraband things,

00:29:22 these are the jail, they had improvised weapons,

00:29:26 marijuana, SIM cards, cellular phones, and stuff like that.

00:29:29 That just happened recently.

00:29:31 So I'm wondering now if, you know,

00:29:33 it was a joint thing that was done

00:29:35 by the police and prisons.

00:29:37 So I'm wondering now if that has anything to do with it.

00:29:41 Because as this previous caller had said,

00:29:43 you know, there was some kind of attack

00:29:45 in them and their family,

00:29:46 but a little while, like, we didn't hear anything.

00:29:49 So I'm wondering if, because of that recent thing,

00:29:51 because on the social media,

00:29:52 you get a lot of things on social media.

00:29:54 Social media, what was the person said?

00:29:56 They are asking the inmates to give a lead

00:29:59 as to who was responsible for that,

00:30:02 because they feel that the inmates may know

00:30:04 what took place, you know, so they're asking that.

00:30:06 So that's my first point.

00:30:07 My second point is, Officer Ali, when you were not there,

00:30:09 I asked Officer Alexander, I was asking him something

00:30:14 about the extortion and what crime, you know,

00:30:19 and he said he didn't want to say anything

00:30:21 because he didn't want to get,

00:30:23 but what I saw recently now on the papers,

00:30:25 a former commissioner of police who's not from Trinidad,

00:30:29 he spoke about the extortion.

00:30:31 What he said, that has been happening a very long time,

00:30:34 even since he was there.

00:30:35 And he said he blamed the state contracts

00:30:38 to the gang leaders for extortion.

00:30:40 And what he said, he said that you have a lot of problems

00:30:44 to really deal with it, so it's not something really new,

00:30:46 but like, get out of the way right now.

00:30:49 And what I saw, he said, he said under the last act,

00:30:52 any person who demands property or anything valuable

00:30:54 by members, which includes threats and violence,

00:30:57 he said is liable to imprisonment for 15 years,

00:31:00 because I had asked Officer Alexander that,

00:31:04 and he said, you know, he didn't want to say anything

00:31:06 because sometimes he might say something

00:31:07 and then he couldn't get nearly nothing.

00:31:10 My third point is, Marlon, I want to deal with you.

00:31:12 Concerning the thing that was stolen in America,

00:31:17 what I heard was, on another area,

00:31:20 is that a certain Caribbean country

00:31:23 said that Trinidad should not have gotten that there,

00:31:26 because they have a lot of business places there,

00:31:28 and they should have gotten it,

00:31:29 Trinidad should have gotten it,

00:31:30 you know, somewhere like Church Avenue,

00:31:32 something like that.

00:31:33 And what they said was, Trinidadians in America felt

00:31:37 as though it was those persons who probably took it down,

00:31:40 because recently, those persons beat Trinidad in cricket,

00:31:44 so they felt that it had something to do with that,

00:31:46 because they didn't want Trinidad to get it,

00:31:48 so they don't feel it's a Trinidadian,

00:31:49 as you have been saying yesterday, Marlon.

00:31:51 Officer Ali and Marlon, all of you, be safe,

00:31:55 because of what is happening now, be safe.

00:31:58 Thank you very much.

00:31:58 - Thank you very much, Officer.

00:32:00 Marlon, let me just respond to the call I was read,

00:32:04 this last call I was read, some very important issues,

00:32:08 and I'm actually touching on the law as well.

00:32:11 But let me indicate in terms of

00:32:12 where we are looking at motive.

00:32:15 Let me say that there's a lot of information,

00:32:16 there's a lot of intelligence,

00:32:17 and I do not want to speculate,

00:32:19 and I do not want to misrepresent

00:32:20 or mislead members of the public.

00:32:22 But there's an ongoing investigation,

00:32:24 and that investigation will be able to identify exactly

00:32:27 what is or what are the motives,

00:32:31 with reference to this response from the criminal element

00:32:33 in terms of where law enforcement is concerned.

00:32:35 So, as I said, I don't want to speculate,

00:32:37 and I don't want to misrepresent the information,

00:32:39 and they need to be analyzed properly.

00:32:41 In terms of the extortion/demanding,

00:32:44 money may menace, and the extension to state contracts,

00:32:49 that in itself has been a very, very serious discussion.

00:32:51 But what we are seeing now with the money,

00:32:53 money may menace, it didn't go on beyond state contracts.

00:32:55 It has now been directly

00:32:57 directed to the business sector.

00:33:03 And we've seen examples in the Bamboo No. 2 area

00:33:05 and in the St. Helena recently.

00:33:06 So, my response to that will be that if we have seen,

00:33:10 and I continue to see on this program,

00:33:12 if we have seen a prevalence in a particular crime,

00:33:15 the question is, when would we find the time

00:33:18 to open the law book and recognize that at least

00:33:21 a first step to at least increase the penalties,

00:33:24 to start letting the criminal element know that,

00:33:26 listen, it's not a mere five years

00:33:31 or six years as the case may be,

00:33:33 but let us now look at increasing the penalties

00:33:36 to at least start a deterrent in the first instance

00:33:39 to be able to be supportive of quality policing,

00:33:41 to be able to bring those persons to justice.

00:33:43 So, that's my response in relation to the extortion

00:33:47 and the demanding money may menace,

00:33:49 which continues to be a very, very serious issue.

00:33:51 And with the previous call of Marlon,

00:33:53 I wanna say as well, I need to be frank

00:33:56 and transparent and open.

00:33:59 While I agree, and hence why I had responded,

00:34:01 that is not a new line per se that they have reached,

00:34:04 but we have seen over the period that there has been threats,

00:34:08 there has been attacks.

00:34:10 But I want us to also appreciate something publicly, Marlon.

00:34:13 And I'm not saying that this is the situation,

00:34:16 but we must be very careful

00:34:17 that we must weigh every circumstances.

00:34:20 We must know the facts of every particular circumstances,

00:34:23 because what you can get,

00:34:24 you can also get persons inducing,

00:34:26 inducing violence on themselves.

00:34:29 And I'm just saying my way of example.

00:34:31 If you are compromised,

00:34:32 then that puts you in a very, very vulnerable position.

00:34:36 So, we need to look at each situation on its merit,

00:34:38 and hence why I identify,

00:34:40 and you quite rightly also supported me.

00:34:43 When you are targeting a status quo

00:34:47 that involves a deputy commissioner of prisons,

00:34:51 it is clearly identifying where

00:34:53 and how far up the ladder that you are targeting.

00:34:55 You are targeting persons who makes policy decisions.

00:34:59 So, I'm saying because of that development,

00:35:04 it is definitely a cause for concern,

00:35:07 because now it may, and I'm using the word may in bold,

00:35:11 it may be a situation,

00:35:12 I'm seeing it was quoted in newspaper,

00:35:14 that maybe there's a policy being laid down

00:35:16 for the protection of the prisons,

00:35:18 and the prison authorities, and the prison officers,

00:35:20 but it may not be finding favor with the inmates.

00:35:22 Now, what I would like to say, Marlon, publicly here,

00:35:25 and when we are dealing with crime,

00:35:27 and crime of this nature,

00:35:30 I think it's also important to ascertain

00:35:32 and do some deep research and communication

00:35:36 to find out, okay, well, why would one someone

00:35:38 or a group of persons behave in this way?

00:35:41 What is happening?

00:35:43 So, it mustn't be a situation

00:35:44 that we are doing or looking one side.

00:35:46 What is happening, and see whether, in fact,

00:35:48 there's any perspectives that have been offered

00:35:51 to see whether, in fact, persons, who knows,

00:35:54 whether there's any infringement anyway.

00:35:56 So, I wanna be able to be very fair and objective,

00:35:58 but when we are looking at this situation,

00:36:00 let's look at it at a 360,

00:36:02 and not just have a myopic view as what is this happening,

00:36:06 because we can also speak to persons

00:36:09 to be able to what?

00:36:10 To deter them away from these sort of violent crimes,

00:36:13 and to preventative measure.

00:36:14 We must never, ever turn our eye

00:36:18 and believe that we cannot speak persons

00:36:20 into a pool in the rule of law,

00:36:22 and that's something that I want to make sure

00:36:23 that we balance here this afternoon.

00:36:24 So, we must be mature,

00:36:26 and we must be delicate in our thinking,

00:36:28 notwithstanding that we are seeing

00:36:29 the level of development that we are seeing.

00:36:31 - All right, thank you very much.

00:36:33 We must go to a break.

00:36:34 When we come back, I'm going to tell you

00:36:35 what the police, not the police,

00:36:37 the Prison Officers Association has to say about this matter,

00:36:41 and we'll continue to take your calls.

00:36:42 We're coming back.

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00:40:04 (upbeat music)

00:40:07 - So Corporal Zaheer Ali, attorney at law,

00:40:15 he's here with us.

00:40:16 As he is here with us every Wednesday.

00:40:20 But let me just give you some information

00:40:22 as released here by the Prison Officers Association

00:40:25 of Trinidad and Tobago.

00:40:26 And it speaks about the jammers being installed

00:40:31 at the maximum security prison.

00:40:33 But it also speaks about when the jammers

00:40:38 were made operational, that there was a proposal

00:40:45 for an authorized service provider to supply phones

00:40:50 at designated areas of all prisons.

00:40:55 And I think this is where, this is the crux of the matter.

00:40:59 Where the association is saying,

00:41:02 well look, these jammers have been installed,

00:41:05 and they're also calling for it,

00:41:07 for the jammers to be installed at all of the prisons

00:41:09 in Trinidad and Tobago.

00:41:10 But they're also suggesting that A,

00:41:13 you have to put a designated area

00:41:16 where prisoners can make contact with their relatives.

00:41:20 And because this has not been done

00:41:22 according to the association,

00:41:24 the association is now saying,

00:41:26 this has put our lives at risk.

00:41:29 Because there are some prisoners who believe

00:41:33 that the jammers are the, or is the idea,

00:41:40 or yes, of prison officers.

00:41:44 And they're saying, we are not responsible for that.

00:41:47 Prison officers are not responsible for that.

00:41:49 Persons in higher authority are responsible for that.

00:41:53 So I think that's the crux of the matter,

00:41:55 that as stated there by the Prison Officers Association,

00:42:00 that there has to be this designated area

00:42:02 where prisoners can make calls to their relatives and so on.

00:42:07 And if that is done, well then,

00:42:08 I suspect there is going to be a return to calm and normalcy.

00:42:14 We have a call.

00:42:16 Good evening, caller.

00:42:18 Caller, you're there?

00:42:22 - Yeah, let's say good evening to my two younger brothers

00:42:24 on prime time TV.

00:42:25 - Yes, good evening, sir.

00:42:26 - I have a very simple and difficult question to ask.

00:42:29 This goes directly to Mr. Ali.

00:42:34 Mr. Ali, what form of redress can a parent get

00:42:39 when their child happens to be injured

00:42:41 in a fight at school?

00:42:43 - The child as the victim?

00:42:48 - Yes.

00:42:51 - Yeah.

00:42:51 Well, caller, when you, that question you asked,

00:42:57 that question basically has to be looked at in a context

00:43:00 where, let's look at it in a distinguishing

00:43:03 from a public and a private sector context.

00:43:05 And look at it in a context where,

00:43:07 one, someone has a responsibility, a duty for that child.

00:43:11 And that duty is not being observed and fulfilled

00:43:16 by the persons who have the responsibility for that child.

00:43:19 And that child sustain injury.

00:43:22 There will always be the discussion of a cause of action

00:43:26 in the context of negligence.

00:43:28 But I do not want to use this program

00:43:29 to basically be inviting or advising on persons

00:43:32 to be taking that step.

00:43:33 What I would want to say is that,

00:43:35 where children are concerned,

00:43:36 persons who have the responsibility for children,

00:43:38 whether it be in a school setting or whatever setting,

00:43:42 that assumption of responsibility steps in,

00:43:44 or a legal responsibility, as the case may be.

00:43:46 It's important for you to execute your role

00:43:48 and functions properly so that you prevent that child

00:43:51 from being exposed to any harm.

00:43:52 And harm meaning from any third party,

00:43:54 which may also be students within the school environment.

00:43:57 So I want us to be very circumspect

00:43:59 that the persons who have the responsibility

00:44:01 understand your responsibility

00:44:03 and understand that under the law of tort,

00:44:05 that's why I'm being very generic here.

00:44:07 Under the law of tort,

00:44:09 there's a cause of action in negligence

00:44:12 if you are in fact not fulfilling your duty of care

00:44:15 to the person that you have a responsibility to.

00:44:17 So in summary, Cola, I know you identify

00:44:20 a very simple but difficult question.

00:44:23 So thanks for your question.

00:44:24 - But was he also asking that if you have a child

00:44:29 at a school and that child is attacked

00:44:32 by let's say another individual,

00:44:35 what recourse does the parents of the victim child have?

00:44:40 - Well again, it comes back to the question

00:44:44 that that particular school,

00:44:45 let's start with like for example,

00:44:46 the principal and teachers.

00:44:47 They will have a duty and a responsibility

00:44:49 to ensure that the environment that our child is in

00:44:51 is a safe environment.

00:44:53 So if they are, for example, just minimum,

00:44:54 if they are not exercising a level of supervision,

00:44:57 or if you recognize and identify

00:44:59 that there may be someone

00:44:59 who is exhibiting very violent tendencies,

00:45:03 and that violent tendencies that have been exhibited,

00:45:07 that children are injured in the process,

00:45:09 the question is one may ask,

00:45:10 well what steps that the person

00:45:14 with the responsibility for that school,

00:45:16 what steps did they take in order to ensure

00:45:18 that children are not injured

00:45:19 by the hands of the person who is exercising

00:45:22 violent tendencies?

00:45:23 So I don't want it to be a situation

00:45:24 where it becomes adversarial in a sense, Malang,

00:45:28 but I want us to look at it in a mature way,

00:45:31 look at it with mutual interest and rights,

00:45:34 equal footing, so that,

00:45:35 because it's children we're speaking about.

00:45:37 We shouldn't be just looking to say,

00:45:39 okay, my child is injured.

00:45:41 Yes, you may have felt a pain by that.

00:45:44 Yes, you may have a cause of action.

00:45:45 But let's look at the bigger picture.

00:45:47 When we are looking at the decision

00:45:51 whether we should be seeking advice

00:45:53 to initiate civil proceedings

00:45:55 in relation to injuries that our children may sustain.

00:45:58 - Yeah.

00:45:58 - So, but it's within the law of thought

00:45:59 and the cause of action will be negligence

00:46:02 if the elements are made out.

00:46:03 Malang, let me just say one more thing

00:46:05 before we go forward with the Prison Officers Association

00:46:08 perspective that you place.

00:46:10 That in itself is evidence of my position

00:46:13 that I take earlier.

00:46:14 - Yes.

00:46:14 - That we need to, yes, something occurred,

00:46:17 but we need to do a 360,

00:46:20 look at this in particular context

00:46:22 because we must also balance

00:46:26 the interests, the competing interests.

00:46:30 And I mean, I'm placing reliance

00:46:32 on what the association is stating

00:46:34 and that in itself, I just wanted to make mention.

00:46:36 Hence why I call for a 360 focus

00:46:39 on the issues that we are seeing.

00:46:40 - Yes, thank you very much.

00:46:41 Let's take another call.

00:46:43 Good evening, caller.

00:46:44 - Good evening, Mr. Malang.

00:46:45 - Yes, sir.

00:46:47 - Yeah, man, how you doing?

00:46:49 - Officer Ali is here.

00:46:49 - Officer Ali?

00:46:50 - Good evening, sir.

00:46:51 - That's a wonderful lady.

00:46:52 Malang, I have something we have to smooth

00:46:54 and then I go to Mr. Ali.

00:46:55 Very shortly.

00:46:56 Now, the Point Forte Hospital right now,

00:47:00 they're operating, the doctors are operating well.

00:47:04 But you know what I observed there now?

00:47:06 People that inflate on situation.

00:47:10 You know people from Sandy Grandy,

00:47:13 the central coming down to Point Forte Hospital now

00:47:17 because of the facility,

00:47:19 maybe a little faster than San Fernando.

00:47:22 I believe that the municipal has to look into this

00:47:26 and maybe start a zone

00:47:27 because people coming from the central.

00:47:29 And we have to go there and stay.

00:47:31 The doctors work in,

00:47:32 but when the doctors have to see 120 people in the evening,

00:47:37 Malang, it's difficult.

00:47:39 - Yes.

00:47:40 - So we have to look into this

00:47:41 because people in Trinidad and Rhode Island,

00:47:43 they have something in San Nerdi.

00:47:45 They go in Mount Hope, they flood Mount Hope.

00:47:47 So I'll leave it at that,

00:47:48 but I'll go into a couple of, you know.

00:47:49 But I'll leave the situation in Trinidad here.

00:47:52 Right, you are a man of the law there,

00:47:54 a man of the court.

00:47:56 Why it is I keep asking this question,

00:47:59 we need help in the police service at this present time.

00:48:04 Because even if you have to get in,

00:48:05 thousands of police, you self-serve it,

00:48:07 they process it, it takes some time.

00:48:10 We have the Trinidad Tobago Regiment here.

00:48:13 They, even if they don't make no big arrests,

00:48:16 why their presence is not felt all over the world,

00:48:19 they use the army, another organization to assist.

00:48:24 Why it is we not using the regiment,

00:48:28 the thing that look how much is taking place.

00:48:31 Now the, everybody's under attack now.

00:48:34 The prison office is under attack.

00:48:35 And when they start,

00:48:36 it is going to increase and go further.

00:48:39 So you are a man of the constitution, of the law too,

00:48:41 because just now you'll be on board.

00:48:44 I believe that something has to take place.

00:48:47 But we hear talk, talk,

00:48:49 it's about 10 years now we hear these things,

00:48:52 we want action.

00:48:52 - Thank you.

00:48:55 All right, we must go to a very short break.

00:48:57 We're coming back.

00:48:58 (upbeat music)

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00:50:45 - All right, everybody.

00:50:46 So welcome back.

00:50:47 You may have seen that I was preoccupied

00:50:49 with my phone a little earlier.

00:50:52 Corporal Zaheer Ali, he's here with us.

00:50:55 But just to tell you that a major firearm seizure

00:51:00 has taken place by the police

00:51:07 so the police service has had a major firearms seizure

00:51:12 and it is arising out of the shooting

00:51:17 which occurred re the driver

00:51:22 of the deputy commissioner of prisons this morning.

00:51:27 So again, as is being told to us by the TTPS,

00:51:31 there has been a major firearm seizure

00:51:35 arising out of that incident this morning.

00:51:39 From what I'm also told is that senior superintendent,

00:51:42 Roger D. Alexander is there.

00:51:44 He's going to be speaking with members of the media

00:51:47 or I suspect he's speaking with them right now.

00:51:50 And we will have more for you on this situation

00:51:54 in the seven o'clock news, all right?

00:51:56 So we're looking for him here,

00:51:57 but I don't know that he'll make it back in time.

00:51:59 But this is where he has been spending

00:52:03 most of the day.

00:52:06 And right now he's at the police administration building

00:52:11 with members of the media.

00:52:12 Let's take a call.

00:52:14 Good evening caller.

00:52:15 - Evening Marlon.

00:52:17 - Yes, sir.

00:52:18 - I'm Officer Ali.

00:52:20 - Good evening, sir.

00:52:21 - I'm (indistinct)

00:52:24 I don't know who does the communication for Trinidad,

00:52:27 but up here in Rikers Island,

00:52:29 every telephone call is recorded.

00:52:32 Everyone, landline or cell phone.

00:52:35 With the cell, you trace it to the tower

00:52:37 that the king's office,

00:52:38 and you know who's making the call,

00:52:40 who's receiving the call.

00:52:41 How would it come to you?

00:52:42 It don't take long to figure this out.

00:52:44 All right, jammers are good to be close to the prison,

00:52:48 but it has to be outside of that.

00:52:50 Where no one could tamper with it.

00:52:53 This is a mother's place because if you look at it,

00:52:55 the thing that goes on here.

00:52:57 Once you go to jail, you give up the right.

00:53:00 Every call is recorded.

00:53:02 I don't see why this was hard

00:53:05 if it's coming from inside.

00:53:06 That the case racist.

00:53:08 That's amazing to me, man.

00:53:10 I hope you could do something better.

00:53:14 And that excuse about the prison officer association.

00:53:17 In the same story over and over.

00:53:19 Remember last time we had this,

00:53:20 the hit list of officers?

00:53:22 A wretch of mine was on that list, okay?

00:53:24 And nothing has improved.

00:53:29 I don't want to do better to the communication system.

00:53:31 That computers now use it the right way.

00:53:34 Thank you very much.

00:53:36 - Thank you very much.

00:53:37 Well, clearly the caller is frustrated

00:53:39 about the entire situation,

00:53:40 but I know that he's living abroad.

00:53:42 So I think he's comparing what is happening here

00:53:45 with what is also happening where he resides.

00:53:50 (indistinct)

00:53:59 - Let me also acknowledge the work

00:54:00 of the Trinidad and Tobago police service

00:54:01 that you just mentioned.

00:54:03 I'm aware that there was an operation

00:54:04 and with the findings.

00:54:06 I just want to share in the commendation

00:54:10 to the police officers

00:54:11 and ask them to continue to not stop

00:54:14 and do diligent investigations

00:54:15 in relation to that seizure.

00:54:17 And I just want to add one further thing

00:54:19 is that the previous caller,

00:54:20 why he spoke about the cause of action

00:54:22 with a child who may be injured from a civil context.

00:54:25 I also want to police into the domain

00:54:28 that the criminal jurisdiction is also present.

00:54:30 That if a child, the offender is of age

00:54:33 to attract criminal liability

00:54:34 and inflicts harm on another child,

00:54:39 you can attract criminal liability,

00:54:42 obviously with the intervention of DDPP.

00:54:43 So I just want to make sure that I'm clear

00:54:45 that both jurisdiction,

00:54:46 both criminal and civil could be applied

00:54:48 to a given the state of affairs.

00:54:50 - All right.

00:54:51 We have another call.

00:54:52 Good evening caller.

00:54:53 - Good evening Marlon.

00:54:54 Good evening corporal Ali.

00:54:57 - Good evening sir.

00:54:58 - Yeah.

00:54:59 Corporal Ali, I think we need to look beyond the surface

00:55:02 as the mighty Paula would have said.

00:55:04 You see, once we have the politicians at the top,

00:55:08 Hemin and Hoyne, with respect to the FUL,

00:55:11 I see one thing, give one thing.

00:55:13 If you jump the fence and pick a man,

00:55:15 boy you go get shoot.

00:55:16 The criminal will have a feel there

00:55:19 because they are not very decisive at the top.

00:55:23 You understand what I'm saying?

00:55:25 So, you know, we could talk to him remotely

00:55:28 until the politicians don't get it right.

00:55:31 Rather we go spin and top in.

00:55:33 Look at the DSF inquiry.

00:55:35 Where are we with that as it is now?

00:55:38 You know, the public would like to know.

00:55:40 These are things that the public would like to know.

00:55:43 When you have information like that coming forth,

00:55:45 it will build confidence in the public

00:55:48 towards the police service.

00:55:50 But there's all kinds of skepticism

00:55:52 that the reason why it is not being released

00:55:54 and whether we had a lot of big shots,

00:55:56 police involved, a big shot of Hemin involved,

00:55:58 a lot of politicians involved.

00:56:00 They need to come clean with the investigation

00:56:02 and let the public know what's happening.

00:56:04 We can't live under a code of secrecy

00:56:07 and expect the public to cooperate

00:56:10 because the public will now get very suspicious, my brother.

00:56:15 Have a good afternoon.

00:56:16 - All right, thank you very much.

00:56:18 We do have time for another call.

00:56:20 We are, yeah?

00:56:21 We're taking another call before we go to a break.

00:56:23 We just have about one minute to take that call.

00:56:28 So we are waiting on the call.

00:56:31 It's coming, it's coming.

00:56:32 This is live television.

00:56:33 You know how it is.

00:56:34 - Manan, while we are waiting,

00:56:36 I think the caller, I just want to identify him.

00:56:37 He made a very mention of a very important word

00:56:39 in terms of where the legislators

00:56:42 and members of the executive.

00:56:43 He spoke about decisive action

00:56:45 and I just want to just hover over on that word.

00:56:47 - All right, let's take a call.

00:56:48 Good evening, caller.

00:56:49 - Hi, good afternoon.

00:56:51 - Yes.

00:56:53 - I'm just calling to follow up with a question

00:56:56 that the previous caller had asked

00:56:57 regarding the army being deployed.

00:57:00 I know that the army is usually reserved for war.

00:57:03 Correct me if I'm wrong.

00:57:05 The criminals have raged war

00:57:06 against the citizens of this country.

00:57:09 I didn't hear a response from Corporal Ali

00:57:10 when the previous caller asked why the army being utilized

00:57:14 to fight the crime that we're experiencing currently.

00:57:17 - Good point.

00:57:20 Well, I saw that members of the public are very adamant

00:57:23 with reference to the intervention of the army.

00:57:25 - Yes.

00:57:26 - Now let me say that from my information

00:57:27 that the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force,

00:57:30 a particular battalion have always been deployed

00:57:35 with the interagency task force.

00:57:36 So that has been an existing project.

00:57:39 - Joint patrols.

00:57:40 - Yes, and I'm aware as well that

00:57:41 where it may have been initially directed

00:57:43 to the Port of Spain division,

00:57:44 it has no treaty commissioners initiative.

00:57:47 It has not been deployed.

00:57:48 Case in point, we have senior superintendent Alexander

00:57:51 who is presently on an operation

00:57:52 out of the Port of Spain division.

00:57:55 So I'm aware that that's happening.

00:57:56 But I think what the callers are looking for

00:57:58 is a further deployment

00:58:00 of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force.

00:58:02 Now, what I wanna say in relation to that

00:58:04 is that that has to be a policy decision

00:58:08 by the commissioner of police,

00:58:09 the minister of national security,

00:58:10 and the chief of the defense staff

00:58:12 in terms of if we are requesting their assistance,

00:58:15 the question is what are their role and functions

00:58:17 when they come to assist the police?

00:58:19 But I would like to lean on the side and say,

00:58:21 okay, if there's a major exercise that we are going on,

00:58:24 if it's an area that, let's say it's a terrain,

00:58:26 let's say it's forested and so forth,

00:58:28 or let's say in an area that the risk is very high,

00:58:33 one would expect to have the police officers

00:58:36 supported by the defense force as a matter of security

00:58:39 and to hold the ground.

00:58:41 But in terms of the involvement,

00:58:43 it's something that we need to think carefully.

00:58:45 And I say that's a policy decision,

00:58:46 but I would not rule it off

00:58:48 because it is in fact happening,

00:58:50 but in a smaller scale at the interagency task force.

00:58:53 - All right, thank you very much.

00:58:54 We are going to a very short break.

00:58:55 We're coming back.

00:58:56 - TV6 presents the folk dance and dramology finals

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00:59:29 Don't miss out on the excitement.

00:59:31 It's the folk dance and dramology finals

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00:59:36 on CCN TV6.

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01:00:43 Some of us like to test limits,

01:00:46 but there won't always be second chances.

01:00:49 Obey the speed limits.

01:00:52 Maybe you don't value your life, but others value theirs.

01:00:57 (train whistle)

01:01:01 A message from the TTPS.

01:01:04 (upbeat music)

01:01:09 (upbeat music)

01:01:12 - All right, so welcome back and provosting the committee.

01:01:16 As he does every Wednesday is corporal Zahir Ali,

01:01:21 of course, senior superintendent Roger D. Alexander.

01:01:24 He's at the police admin building right now.

01:01:28 Of course, earlier today, there was a major development

01:01:33 concerning the shooting of the driver

01:01:35 of the deputy prisons commissioner this morning.

01:01:39 And just to tell you, because I know that,

01:01:42 I know how people are on social media,

01:01:44 that officer Steve Phipps, he was wounded

01:01:49 during the incident and he remains hospitalized at this time.

01:01:54 Okay, let's take another call.

01:01:56 Good evening, caller.

01:01:57 - Good evening, Mr. Hopkinson, corporal Ali.

01:02:00 Good afternoon.

01:02:01 - Good evening, sir.

01:02:02 - Shame, shame, a shame, a shame.

01:02:04 I'm ashamed of the community I live in,

01:02:06 what we have become, what we are challenged

01:02:09 to treat with every single day, as though it is a movie.

01:02:13 You lost, people do not care for individuals' lives

01:02:19 and it is truly, it is truly, it is truly a shame.

01:02:22 We should be ashamed, we should be.

01:02:24 To the individual who has been severely injured

01:02:29 and that, that reason attack on him,

01:02:31 I pray that he recovers to continue serving his nation

01:02:36 and to be able to perform as a breadwinner for his family.

01:02:41 That's it, sir.

01:02:43 I am going to go off script just a little.

01:02:45 Recently, I attempted to, as an individual

01:02:50 who is the holder of a firearm user license,

01:02:54 I attempted to bring in an item into the country.

01:02:58 It by no means is an item that is a component

01:03:03 aiding the firearm in rapid shooting or anything as such.

01:03:08 And I was treated with a letter of detention.

01:03:13 This letter of detention meant that I now had to challenge

01:03:17 the, and I beg to be corrected,

01:03:19 I need to challenge the persons in charge of customs

01:03:24 to bring in this item.

01:03:26 And again, I stress that this item is by no means

01:03:29 a component of a firearm user license to make it go back.

01:03:33 That said, I was, I went through the hoops

01:03:37 with the individuals, lovely people

01:03:38 at the preventative department,

01:03:40 you all know yourselves, lovely people.

01:03:42 They too understood the challenges based on this,

01:03:46 the challenges bringing in this item.

01:03:48 But this is it in a nutshell.

01:03:50 I am supposed to take my license

01:03:54 and I want you to follow me here, right?

01:03:55 Because we're talking about the bank

01:03:56 and we're seeing people in the banks,

01:03:57 certain people who come in the bank

01:03:59 to take all their money and they're there.

01:04:01 I have to take my license, copy it,

01:04:03 give it to the institution, the shipping companies,

01:04:08 so that when my item comes in to Trinidad and Tobago,

01:04:12 they can take my item and say,

01:04:14 "Here, this fella, he has a firearm user license

01:04:17 and a cookie for this device to come in."

01:04:19 What do you think about that, Marlon?

01:04:20 Help me now.

01:04:21 I tried to think logically on this matter.

01:04:24 I leave you all, thank you very much.

01:04:26 Enjoy your, I enjoy your program this afternoon.

01:04:28 - Thank you. - Corporal Ali,

01:04:29 well done as always.

01:04:30 - Thank you very much, sir. - Thank you very much, sir.

01:04:32 You have a position on that, Officer Ali?

01:04:34 - No, I wouldn't give a position,

01:04:36 just listening to the submissions by the caller.

01:04:40 But what I will say is that,

01:04:41 just some of the issues that he's raising,

01:04:43 and I do like to prematurely comment on the matter,

01:04:45 but the issue of asking someone to copy

01:04:48 firearm user's license, that's a sensitive matter.

01:04:52 And one would have probably be looking at the context

01:04:57 of a more softer approach,

01:05:02 and a more careful approach in terms of

01:05:05 actually having a correspondent that you are, in fact,

01:05:07 the holder of a firearm user's license,

01:05:10 as opposed to giving a copy of your license.

01:05:12 So you can give the particulars and sign a document.

01:05:15 So you have already answered the fact

01:05:17 that you are a firearm user's license,

01:05:20 and the firearm number, what your license to carry,

01:05:24 and that sort of thing.

01:05:26 But to say that you're copying a license,

01:05:28 that in itself is something

01:05:30 that we need to be very careful with.

01:05:32 But I need to know the whole facts,

01:05:35 to know whether, in fact,

01:05:36 the steps or the actions taken by customs,

01:05:39 whether, in fact, it was lawful,

01:05:40 whether it was reasonable in the circumstances,

01:05:42 and I don't know what item that he's speaking about,

01:05:44 to see whether, in fact, it was, in fact,

01:05:47 contravening the firearms

01:05:49 or any of the customs legislation.

01:05:51 So I'm not aware of that,

01:05:52 but I like to be very reasonable.

01:05:54 - I also think that he's concerned

01:05:56 because it is a matter of security

01:06:00 and a matter of confidentiality,

01:06:02 and that is not, you don't go around town

01:06:05 telling people you have an FUL,

01:06:06 you have a gun, you have this, you have that.

01:06:09 You know, that is a very, very,

01:06:12 that is something that you need to hold close to your chest,

01:06:15 and there has to be a high level of confidentiality

01:06:19 surrounding that, yeah?

01:06:20 So I do understand the concerns of the gentleman.

01:06:22 Let's take a call.

01:06:23 Good evening, caller.

01:06:24 Caller, you're there?

01:06:26 - Good evening, Marvin.

01:06:27 - Yes, good evening.

01:06:28 - Good evening, Corporal.

01:06:30 - Yes, good evening.

01:06:32 - Corporal, you know, as always,

01:06:33 you're fresh in here, you'll be using opinions,

01:06:36 and it's really kind of like an anomaly

01:06:37 that you seem to be a unicorn at times

01:06:40 where the intelligence and competence

01:06:43 that you bring to this program.

01:06:45 I often question when I see officers perform on the streets,

01:06:48 they seem to lack that fervor, that intelligence,

01:06:51 that confidence that you have, that passion.

01:06:54 And it only leaves me to wonder,

01:06:55 like what happened this morning,

01:06:56 it seems as though criminals are becoming more brazen

01:06:59 because when they test law enforcement,

01:07:01 they don't meet force with force,

01:07:03 or they're not met with their force or like force.

01:07:07 Because what I think is,

01:07:10 if I see cops on the streets

01:07:12 basically intimidated by the public,

01:07:15 which is basically what you see,

01:07:17 they don't exude that confidence and competence

01:07:20 that you have and Superintendent Alexander.

01:07:23 The thing about it is like this,

01:07:24 I know you guys are frustrated.

01:07:26 And the thing about it is if you guys are frustrated,

01:07:29 and you relate that frustration to your superiors,

01:07:31 and they relate it to their superiors and so forth,

01:07:34 why is nothing being done?

01:07:36 Why is the man in your position

01:07:37 with your competence and intelligence

01:07:39 is not in a position to do more?

01:07:41 When they create laws,

01:07:42 and when they do things for the streets,

01:07:44 people like you should be around the wrong table.

01:07:47 When these prison officers

01:07:48 are actually in there enforcing the laws,

01:07:50 I would only imagine that they would probably display

01:07:53 the same timid mentality that the cops,

01:07:56 which the police officers are doing on the streets.

01:07:59 'Cause every time you look at the program,

01:08:00 someone is questioning the police,

01:08:02 what did he do?

01:08:03 What did he do?

01:08:04 The cops is just, and you know what?

01:08:06 It's the roosters are coming home too late.

01:08:08 My thing is, there's a lot of blood is gonna shed.

01:08:11 And in these commissioners and these ministers

01:08:14 and these whoever is in positions and they can't do nothing,

01:08:18 they need to step aside because blood is on their hands.

01:08:21 And they need to understand that

01:08:22 how many more is gonna die?

01:08:24 And listen, it's getting to that point.

01:08:27 It's getting to that point,

01:08:28 you see the brazen attacks happening now,

01:08:30 and I pray God that it doesn't happen to anyone else,

01:08:33 but it is inevitable.

01:08:34 Because no one is doing anything.

01:08:36 The people who can do anything are being restricted

01:08:39 and hands are being tied.

01:08:40 Because I don't see why guys like you, Corporal Ali,

01:08:44 is not in positions to do what needs to be done.

01:08:47 Superintendent Alexander is out there,

01:08:49 he's doing his thing.

01:08:50 I know there are other good cops out there.

01:08:52 But my thing is people are frustrated

01:08:53 because they see that it can be done

01:08:56 and it's not being done.

01:08:57 And you know what the criminals are seeing?

01:08:59 That you guys are tired, you guys are weary,

01:09:02 you guys are restricted.

01:09:05 And greatly with their attacks.

01:09:07 You know, and that's just what it is.

01:09:08 Everyone's getting frustrated because of that.

01:09:10 And if people are in positions that they can do stuff

01:09:13 and they don't wanna do stuff and it's just for a paycheck,

01:09:16 the blood is on their hands.

01:09:18 And that's what's spilling on the streets right now.

01:09:20 - Thank you, thank you very much, sir.

01:09:23 - You have 30 seconds.

01:09:24 - Let me just acknowledge Ecola,

01:09:26 first kind words, Marlon,

01:09:28 but I just wanna just give the assurance,

01:09:30 and I've said it many times on this program,

01:09:31 that my colleagues in the profession and in law enforcement,

01:09:34 if you are not being a student of your occupation,

01:09:37 if you are not keeping up to date with the laws,

01:09:39 and if the persons who are in supervisory position

01:09:41 are not recognizing that the laws are developing

01:09:44 and policing methods and methodology needs to also develop,

01:09:48 then you will find that you are behind

01:09:49 and the criminal elements ahead of you.

01:09:51 And lastly, I always look forward to the opportunity,

01:09:54 Marlon, this is an organization that I belong to.

01:09:56 I respect this organization and maybe one day

01:09:59 in the near future that we will have an opportunity

01:10:02 to even more.

01:10:03 So, you know, just pray and just have some patience

01:10:05 and asking God for patience,

01:10:07 and no person might be saying,

01:10:08 "Well, okay, the blood is already spilling."

01:10:09 But let's pray and ask for that intervention

01:10:12 that we require.

01:10:13 - All right, we are coming back.

01:10:15 (upbeat music)

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01:12:05 - Don't make me forget that I have a question

01:12:14 to ask Officer Ali on behalf of one of our persons

01:12:18 who emailed me earlier.

01:12:20 So I have the email here

01:12:22 and I have to remember to ask Officer Ali.

01:12:24 Let's take a call.

01:12:25 Good evening caller.

01:12:27 - Good evening, Mr. Mallon.

01:12:29 Good evening, Corporal Ali.

01:12:31 I have a contribution here.

01:12:33 Would the police service take on, on its staff,

01:12:40 a differently abled person?

01:12:42 That's question number one.

01:12:44 Question number two, if while working on duty,

01:12:49 a person, an officer is injured on duty,

01:12:53 would the service keep him on in a capacity

01:12:57 that he's able to function?

01:12:59 Two questions, and I think Officer Ali

01:13:01 or Mr. Dixon will be the ones to answer this.

01:13:03 But I'll just go up here.

01:13:04 Thank you very much, gentlemen.

01:13:05 Have a good evening. - Thank you very much.

01:13:07 Beautiful question, Mallon.

01:13:09 And why I'm saying a beautiful question,

01:13:16 in my respectful view, you see this recruitment

01:13:21 when we are recruiting police officers?

01:13:23 I think the time has come, from a policy context,

01:13:26 let us recruit specific to the requirement.

01:13:29 Now why am I saying that?

01:13:30 If someone is differently abled,

01:13:32 they may be an excellent IT specialist.

01:13:35 - Of course.

01:13:36 - Or someone who have the degree of,

01:13:38 or the capacity to do deep analysis, crime analysis.

01:13:41 So that's a case in point.

01:13:43 So I'm saying that someone who's differently abled,

01:13:46 I would like to ensure that I pull

01:13:47 that constitutional rights strict,

01:13:50 to ensure that there's equality of treatment.

01:13:52 Because that person might be able to serve

01:13:54 in a specific context, so that we don't just recruit

01:13:57 in a general context.

01:13:58 So that's the first point.

01:14:00 The second point that he made in relation to

01:14:02 if someone is injured on the job.

01:14:05 - Yes. - Well, again,

01:14:07 the person came in, in good order,

01:14:11 and that's from a physical context.

01:14:13 And if the person in the execution of the duties is injured,

01:14:16 one has to ask the question whether in fact,

01:14:18 the usefulness of that police officer,

01:14:20 whether that has come to an end.

01:14:22 And that is a question that is well poised

01:14:26 to the medical board.

01:14:27 And also conjunctively with looking at whether in fact,

01:14:30 even if he's not able to perform

01:14:33 the orthodox policing duties,

01:14:35 it comes back to my first point as to,

01:14:37 can that officer perform any other specialist function

01:14:40 in light of his limitations?

01:14:41 So I'll answer that question.

01:14:44 - And take 30 seconds because I suspect

01:14:46 we have another call, we do?

01:14:47 Yeah.

01:14:49 But let's speak about this recruitment exercise

01:14:51 and the way that people are recruited

01:14:54 into the police service.

01:14:55 So is it that the police service may be looking for,

01:15:00 as you say, IT people and persons with other skills,

01:15:04 and that's how they recruit?

01:15:07 - Well, from my recollection, Marlon,

01:15:09 when you, there's a particular criteria.

01:15:11 - Yes.

01:15:12 - But the criteria may not go in the context of,

01:15:14 okay, at present you have five O levels.

01:15:16 Let's look at it.

01:15:17 Five O levels, so there's a general criteria.

01:15:18 - Yes.

01:15:19 - But here it is someone who may have a disability,

01:15:22 but may be what, an IT expert.

01:15:24 - Right.

01:15:25 - So the question is, if we are talking about cyber issues,

01:15:28 wouldn't you want to know benefit from the experience

01:15:30 that that person have, but in a specialist context?

01:15:33 Because if you are continued to know,

01:15:34 apply the criteria as, okay, five O levels,

01:15:37 and particular physique,

01:15:40 what happens to that person who's disabled?

01:15:41 That person do not get the opportunity to come in.

01:15:44 Now, may I say something as well?

01:15:46 We need to start exploring the law in recruitment,

01:15:49 so that even if you're not coming through

01:15:50 the orthodox process, and I'm saying orthodox,

01:15:53 meaning the five O levels when you're coming into the service

01:15:56 there are other sections that you can now have personal

01:15:58 and contract.

01:15:59 - Yes.

01:16:00 - So basically play your role and function.

01:16:01 So it's something that we need to be dynamic.

01:16:03 We need to be dynamic in terms of how we are,

01:16:07 both in our administration, our operation,

01:16:09 our investigation, our intelligence gathering,

01:16:12 is we need to start thinking.

01:16:13 - Yes.

01:16:14 - Yeah.

01:16:15 - All right, let's take another call.

01:16:16 Hello?

01:16:17 - Yes, good evening.

01:16:18 Good evening, Mr. Hopkinson.

01:16:19 Good evening, Corporal Alley.

01:16:20 - Good evening, ma'am.

01:16:22 - Marlon, I just wanted to touch base quickly.

01:16:24 I know the incident that happened with the lady,

01:16:26 that's on my mind a bit.

01:16:27 - Yes.

01:16:28 - It's on the investigation,

01:16:29 but Corporal Alley, my question to you is this.

01:16:32 Does the police service have any forensic psychologists?

01:16:37 When it comes to atrocities,

01:16:40 I know the atrocities being faced against children,

01:16:43 the elderly, women in particularly,

01:16:45 like things that are happening should not be happening.

01:16:48 When you see the level of evil, it's not normal.

01:16:51 I know they say like, you know,

01:16:53 I just wanted like if somebody kills somebody

01:16:55 and they cover up the body, it shows a sense of remorse.

01:16:58 But to see how women are just being discarded

01:17:00 and disregarded, now that's a different level of evil.

01:17:04 Does the police force have any forensic psychologists?

01:17:09 And for the, okay, and for the people, the higher ups,

01:17:13 we need to get CCTV footage in order.

01:17:16 And I don't know if the police system has a DNA system,

01:17:20 but those are my contributions.

01:17:22 What we're seeing taking place and to Trinidad and Tobago,

01:17:25 I just wanted to let you know,

01:17:27 he that turns a blind eye to evil is an accomplice to it.

01:17:31 We need less talk and more action.

01:17:35 And Corporal Alley, I listen off air

01:17:36 to about forensic psychologists.

01:17:38 - One second, ma'am.

01:17:39 - We have to find out if the behaviors of these individuals

01:17:42 and what's going on is deep rooted.

01:17:45 I really believe it's unfortunate

01:17:47 that we may have serial killers, we may have serial rapists

01:17:50 who are looking, yesterday was mental health day,

01:17:53 who are looking into those things?

01:17:55 - Hold on, hold on, don't go as yet.

01:17:57 Don't go as yet.

01:17:58 Corporal Alley wants to say something to you.

01:18:01 She's gone.

01:18:02 All right.

01:18:03 - Okay, just to respond to her again, Marlon,

01:18:06 it feeds into the discussion we were having

01:18:08 just prior to the call.

01:18:10 Again, we are talking about psychologists.

01:18:12 And we can argue that in the context

01:18:14 where we were thinking about crime

01:18:16 as a public health issue.

01:18:18 - Yes.

01:18:19 - And if we are speaking about persons committing crimes,

01:18:20 when they are arrested,

01:18:22 do we only be looking to interview

01:18:25 in the context of a criminal investigation?

01:18:27 Or should we not be looking at the context,

01:18:29 okay, who is this individual?

01:18:31 Because you might find out that person's charge,

01:18:32 please, before the court, is granted bail.

01:18:35 But from a psychological context,

01:18:37 that crime, that charge has not deterred that individual.

01:18:40 Because that person is suffering with what?

01:18:42 A psychological problem or a mental issue.

01:18:44 - Right.

01:18:45 - So again, an excellent issue in terms of

01:18:46 if we are looking at crime as a public health issue,

01:18:48 are we configured within the DTPS to ensure

01:18:51 that when we are conducting an interview,

01:18:53 that we are also utilizing the opportunity

01:18:55 to know who is the suspect, who is the accused?

01:18:57 Or if we don't have the capacity,

01:18:59 again, using the route that I spoke about,

01:19:01 contracting with persons who can now provide

01:19:04 that experience, that expertise to be able to assist us.

01:19:06 So I cannot answer whether in fact there is

01:19:09 or are persons who fits that particular portfolio.

01:19:13 I stand corrected on that.

01:19:13 But again, members of the public

01:19:16 is bringing very salient points.

01:19:18 And this calls for development, Marlon,

01:19:21 and in terms of our Trinidad and Tobago Police Service,

01:19:26 in terms of our legal framework,

01:19:27 our operational framework,

01:19:28 and we ought to be paying very careful attention to this.

01:19:31 I told senior superintendents some time ago

01:19:33 that maybe we should start getting

01:19:36 ascribed to assist Ms. Jackie,

01:19:38 that these points should not be put placed on a document.

01:19:41 That in itself will lead to a proposal.

01:19:44 So members of the public,

01:19:45 thank you very much for your contributions.

01:19:48 - All right, thank you very much.

01:19:49 We are going to a very short break.

01:19:50 We're coming back.

01:19:51 (upbeat music)

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01:20:46 - Nikki Crosby is on a roll

01:20:47 and she's finally coming to South.

01:20:49 But be warned, she's 50-ish and she doesn't give a.

01:20:51 - Hi everyone, it's Nikki and I'm back.

01:20:54 Figure, put on a little weight and back up.

01:20:56 - The riotous Nikki, 50-ish and up AM.

01:20:59 It's on at Sapper for two nights only.

01:21:00 On Saturday the 14th of October at 8 30 PM

01:21:02 and Sunday the 15th at 6 30 PM.

01:21:04 This show is for adults only.

01:21:06 - Somebody better cool me down.

01:21:07 I'm 50-ish and I am on fire.

01:21:10 - Nikki unfiltered and her mouth hot.

01:21:12 Get ready.

01:21:13 - 50-ish, hot as.

01:21:15 (beep)

01:21:16 - As promised, I promised that I would raise this question

01:21:25 on behalf of someone who emailed me.

01:21:29 So he says, I would like to know

01:21:31 if there is anything in place for people playing loud car

01:21:34 music and disturbing people every weekend.

01:21:37 - Well, Marlon, you are going into the context

01:21:42 of public nuisance and in this context, noise pollution.

01:21:45 And in this case, it's emanating from a car.

01:21:47 - Yes.

01:21:48 - We have had instances where emanating from premises.

01:21:50 I wanna make it categorically clear.

01:21:53 I've spoken legally on this matter.

01:21:56 I've advised about the necessary steps that should be taken.

01:22:00 The current laws that exist.

01:22:02 The need for excellent and diligent police investigations

01:22:05 to guard any necessary evidence.

01:22:07 And I'm speaking on a legal context.

01:22:10 Had I had the administrative authority,

01:22:12 this is something that is now becoming very prevalent.

01:22:16 It continues to be an issue.

01:22:17 And I would like to make a recommendation here

01:22:19 that this is a situation that if we don't look

01:22:22 at it carefully, you can have persons being provoked

01:22:26 where they had results in a breach of the peace.

01:22:27 And we don't know the severity of the breach of the peace.

01:22:30 It could lead to a murder.

01:22:31 - Of course.

01:22:32 - So I wanna say again this afternoon

01:22:34 that in relation to the car, where the music is playing,

01:22:37 under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act,

01:22:39 there's particular regulation that talks

01:22:40 about noisy instrument and where noise emanating

01:22:44 from a vehicle that basically could be dealt with

01:22:48 under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act.

01:22:49 The question is whether the penalty there is sufficient.

01:22:51 The answer may be no.

01:22:53 So if we again, similarly to what we see with extortion

01:22:55 and demanding money by menace,

01:22:57 Marlon, do you think that a wise man or a wise woman

01:23:02 will start looking at say, okay, let's look at our laws,

01:23:05 our section 70 of the summary of offenses.

01:23:07 Is it sufficient to deter persons?

01:23:09 Let's look at the regulation that governs

01:23:11 motor vehicle and noisy instrument.

01:23:12 Is it sufficient?

01:23:13 Once we've seen our prevalence, I keep saying,

01:23:16 because it's legally speaking, the law must be used

01:23:19 and must be developed for peace, order, and good governance.

01:23:22 Otherwise, what's the purpose of the law?

01:23:24 - Yeah.

01:23:25 I'll respond to that Marlon,

01:23:26 because I've spoken on that numerous times

01:23:28 and maybe I will have to take a very, very aggressive step

01:23:31 with a cross section of Trinidad and Tobago

01:23:34 to be able to agitate for reform,

01:23:36 to be able to deal with this issue.

01:23:37 - Yeah.

01:23:38 But it is true to say that in situations such as these,

01:23:41 the police can intervene.

01:23:43 - Well, definitely.

01:23:44 Why the law may not be as strong.

01:23:46 The fact of the matter is that the section 70

01:23:49 is there to use.

01:23:50 The regulation is there for the noisy vehicle.

01:23:52 So the question is why we are not intervening?

01:23:54 Why we are not building our cases

01:23:56 and going before the courts and let us get some direction

01:23:59 to see how the courts is behaving.

01:24:01 I'm not asking persons to initiate proceedings recklessly.

01:24:06 I'm asking us to gather evidence.

01:24:07 So for example, the person who is in the vehicle

01:24:09 who is playing loud music.

01:24:11 So we don't want to intercept

01:24:12 and try to look at driving documents,

01:24:15 certificate of insurance,

01:24:16 and start looking at the avenues

01:24:18 in terms of fixed penalty notice

01:24:19 or whether summoning the person to court.

01:24:21 You might be intervening in a noisy instrument

01:24:23 and you know what you find Marlon?

01:24:24 You find a possession of firearm.

01:24:25 You might see someone who is in charge of a vehicle drunk.

01:24:30 You may be seeing someone in possession

01:24:32 of more than 30 grams of marijuana.

01:24:33 So if you're not seeing a need to intervene,

01:24:36 then you are in neglected duty

01:24:39 because it is in fact causing what?

01:24:41 A breach of the peace.

01:24:43 So my colleagues, please,

01:24:46 let us intervene in those situation.

01:24:48 Let us get proper advice.

01:24:49 - Yeah.

01:24:52 Officer Ali, we don't have too much time again,

01:24:55 but sometimes there is a feeling of hopelessness,

01:25:00 frustration as we have heard

01:25:02 from at least one member of the public this evening,

01:25:06 re the crime situation.

01:25:08 What is your advice?

01:25:11 If you can give members of the public some advice

01:25:15 as to what the police is doing

01:25:17 about crime in Trinidad and Tobago.

01:25:19 - Well, I want to be fair to the organization.

01:25:21 The, I am aware that the commissioner police

01:25:25 and executive is really looking at the situation,

01:25:28 just evidence of our expression this afternoon

01:25:31 and this morning in terms of understanding

01:25:33 that the welfare and security of law enforcement

01:25:38 and the community is top priority.

01:25:39 So I'm aware of that.

01:25:40 But what I, where I think Marlon,

01:25:42 I think that it's the speaking

01:25:45 and only looking at the commissioner police

01:25:46 and the executive.

01:25:47 I think that, and I spoke about it,

01:25:48 every single rank in the police service

01:25:51 must understand that they have a role and function.

01:25:52 And I'm saying that the power

01:25:54 that the police commissioner have

01:25:55 in the context of powers of arrest

01:25:57 and powers to investigate,

01:25:58 the last joint constable has that power as well.

01:26:01 So why should a police officer who has taken an oath

01:26:05 to detect crime under the infraction of the law,

01:26:07 why that police officer is not motivated

01:26:09 with his colleagues to be able to uphold the rule of law.

01:26:13 Going out of the TTPS now,

01:26:15 the TTPS must recognize as a constitutional body

01:26:18 that they need to be the catalyst

01:26:20 to move other organizations into action.

01:26:22 - Corporal Ali, thank you very much.

01:26:24 You have made your first hour and a half

01:26:26 without the senior superintendent.

01:26:27 So thank you.

01:26:28 Thank you for being here.

01:26:29 - Thanks to Marlon for his support.

01:26:30 - Yeah, at 1130, repeat tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock

01:26:33 when TV6 News comes up next.

01:26:34 See you at six o'clock in the morning.

01:26:36 It's going to be interesting.

01:26:37 So tune in.

01:26:38 You don't want to miss it.

01:26:39 Bye-bye.

01:26:40 (upbeat music)

01:26:42 (upbeat music)

01:26:45 (upbeat music)

01:26:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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