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00:00 [Music]
00:09 This program is unsuitable for young children.
00:13 [Music]
00:21 [Music]
00:50 Beyond the Tape will be back after these messages.
00:55 [Music]
00:57 Whether wet or dry season,
00:59 Hazard Switch Strike Without Warning
01:01 causes you or your family to quickly evacuate.
01:04 You may not have the time to grab the essentials.
01:06 Be sure to have your grab and go bag in easily accessible locations.
01:10 Here are the top seven categories that should be included and tailored to your family's needs.
01:15 One, non-perishable food items, water, and utensils.
01:19 Two, graze aid kit and extra medication.
01:23 Three, personalized items.
01:26 Four, change of clothing and comfortable footwear.
01:29 Five, copies of important documents such as birth papers and certificates.
01:34 Six, cash in small bills.
01:37 And seven, tools, safety items, and equipment.
01:41 For more information on how to be ready, visit odpm.gov.tt.
01:46 A message from the ODPM.
01:48 [Music]
02:11 Good evening, children out in Tobago and welcome to Beyond the Tape.
02:14 It is Tuesday, the 14th of May.
02:17 My name is Whitney Husbands and we welcome you.
02:19 Now, for those of you who may not know,
02:21 and the big discussion is the extension of the Top Cup.
02:25 If you did not pick up the Daily Express this morning, you have the opportunity to do so as well.
02:30 Now, the cabinet has extended the police commissioner's time with us for another year.
02:37 And of course, we will discuss that and more and see the direction of the TTPS.
02:42 Now, with us this evening, we have acting ASP Kevin Martin at the Mounted and K9 Division.
02:50 We welcome you, ASP, to Beyond the Tape. Good evening.
02:53 Good afternoon, Whitney. Good afternoon, children out in Tobago.
02:56 Thank you for being here.
02:57 Pleasure is mine.
02:58 Now, tell us a little bit more about the Mounted and K9 Unit.
03:03 I will do so shortly, but before I do so, I would like to say I want to extend condolences to the family,
03:11 friends, and colleagues of my friend and my co-worker, Officer Miles,
03:15 who passed away last night in the brave act of heroism.
03:19 And things could have gotten worse.
03:21 There could have been three dead bodies and things could have been much worse.
03:24 But it's a sad time.
03:26 Our service is in mourning.
03:27 My colleagues are in mourning.
03:28 So we really want to again extend our support to his family at this time.
03:32 And I want to ask children out in Tobago to be sensitive.
03:34 You know, as they say, one day for police, one day for thief.
03:36 Yesterday was the day for thief.
03:38 Today is the day for police.
03:39 So I want to ask the callers to be sensitive and to call in and speak about the good things
03:42 and the positive experiences you have had with the police.
03:46 In terms of the Mounted and K9 Branch, the Mounted Branch was established 15 August 1851.
03:53 Initially, it was established as a postal agency to assist with the mails,
03:58 and then it became a sort of an ambulance.
04:00 And then about 1906, it became what we know it to be today.
04:04 It was originally at Sackville and Edward Street.
04:07 And then about 1906, it takes its present position right now at Longstreet and St. James.
04:13 At Mounted Branch, we have a lot of professional persons.
04:16 It's a place where persons have to apply to develop a skill.
04:20 Also at the K9 Branch, it's another professional area.
04:23 And even if we have students in school today, I mean, the persons who would have done maths yesterday,
04:27 these are the persons who were in Form 1 when they had COVID.
04:30 And it shows that they had this mental toughness to endure COVID and to continue until Form 5 to do the exams.
04:35 And I would encourage them to see policing as a career and see Mounted and K9 Branch as a career as well.
04:40 So this is a special unit, clearly, because apart from us seeing the horses,
04:44 people think they just come out for Independence and Republic Day and days to just display these.
04:51 And if children want to go and see some of the horses, it's more than that, clearly.
04:56 It is a lot more than that.
04:58 What happens is that one of our strategic pillars is community partnership.
05:02 And this speaks about building the trust and confidence of the public.
05:06 So to do that, we have persons from Mounted and K9 Branch who do mobile patrols.
05:11 Of course, they do horse patrols.
05:13 They do K9 patrols.
05:15 They also engage in a lot of community partnerships.
05:17 Last year alone, we had about 30,000 persons visit Mounted Branch and would have been riding on the horses,
05:23 not to mention persons would have been exposed to the horse ride when the horses would have gone out.
05:27 And likewise with the canines, we have had persons exposed to the displays where the canines would have showed some of their skill
05:33 and children would have had the opportunity to play with the dolls and take pictures with the dolls.
05:36 But the canine side of it, was it established at the same time with the--
05:41 No.
05:42 When was it established? Because it was a--was it recent?
05:45 It was certainly more recent in that it was established 1952.
05:48 Okay.
05:49 So you're looking at about 101 years after the Mounted Branch.
05:52 Okay.
05:53 And the K9 Branch is located throughout Trinidad and Tobago.
05:57 So where could we find some of these different units other than we see at Long Circular, which is--
06:04 All right.
06:05 --the main place I know?
06:07 No, that's correct. Long Circular Branch is the main place in terms of our horses.
06:11 Now we have had horses doing--performing duties in Tobago as well,
06:15 and we hope very soon to also establish a Mounted Branch in Tobago.
06:19 But you also have two K9 Branches in Tobago, Crown Point, Roxborough,
06:23 and then we have Komutu, Kamini, Chagamas.
06:26 Yes.
06:27 And of course, as I said, Mounted Branch.
06:28 All right. Let's take a look at today's headlines and let's see what took place in the past 24 hours.
06:34 [Music]
06:38 [Music]
06:42 [Music]
06:45 [Music]
06:58 [Music]
07:01 Now we saw the last video there where the officer, of course, condolences to his entire family
07:20 and also to the TTPS, where a police officer was shot and killed on Monday night
07:25 in an attempted robbery in Londonville.
07:29 Now, Dale Myers, a police constable attached to the Arima Police Station,
07:32 was shot in the chest and died at hospital.
07:35 Now we are seeing the bravery of your officer, your colleague,
07:39 that, you know, in that split second or seconds,
07:43 that he was trying to not just protect his lives--his life, sorry, but the lives around him.
07:49 And we see how important it is now when it comes to persons being aware of their surroundings
07:57 and most importantly, the conversation that always continues,
08:00 the FUL and having access to having the legal firearm that persons are seeking.
08:07 Now, seeing this in front of you now, I know it is not going to be easy to watch
08:12 because you're seeing what caused his death.
08:16 That's good.
08:17 What would you say to the public after seeing this video?
08:21 What I would say to the public is that this video must bring the realization
08:26 to the people of Trinidad and Tobago that police officers, while we are heroes, yes,
08:31 we are not the Avengers, we are not the Justice League.
08:34 We do not have super power to see the invisible, hear the inaudible, and do the impossible.
08:39 We are normal human beings infested by the state of Trinidad and Tobago with legal powers.
08:43 And we need your help to fight against that.
08:46 We need persons from religious organizations to go house to house, speak to people.
08:50 We need people who have information about illegal firearms to come out and to realize
08:55 and listen there's no such thing as a good bandit or a good illegal firearm.
08:59 And to come out and to be forthcoming and work with the police officers
09:03 and bring information that we can use because it's sad.
09:07 And I have to ask like Calypso and Duke, how many more must die?
09:11 How many more?
09:12 We have to understand that Trinidad and Tobago is our country.
09:14 And we give the police the respect, but the police alone cannot solve the crime.
09:19 We need your help. We need the support of the public of Trinidad and Tobago.
09:23 Now, just so you know, I understand as well, officers were able to apprehend one of the suspects.
09:31 And that was done two hours later, where the police were alluded that a man sought medical attention
09:37 for gunshot injuries in the Port of Spain General Hospital.
09:41 The person who allegedly did the shooting was a 24-year-old man of Nelson Street, Port of Spain.
09:47 So, of course, the investigation continues there.
09:50 And the officers moved swiftly with regards to that.
09:54 The officers moved swiftly.
09:55 And again, I must say hats off to Officer Myers because things could have gone a lot worse.
09:59 And instead of one officer dying, there could have been three persons dead, a minimum.
10:03 And there could have been other firearms outside there and people continuing to do the crimes.
10:08 And because of his heroism and his act of bravery and selflessness,
10:12 it is alleged that the perpetrator was apprehended in a short space of time.
10:16 Yes. Now, also in the headlines, we saw some of your other colleagues where we're seeing heroism from one,
10:24 and then some who basically is disrespecting uniform with misbehaving in public office,
10:29 where it seems or alleged that these individuals clearly had sticky fingers.
10:36 And what do you say when you see things like this?
10:39 On one side, you're seeing officers who are basically putting their entire life on the line,
10:44 and then others who seem like they're just there to disrespect the uniform.
10:51 What I would say is that the police officers that are in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service are persons that come from society.
10:58 I would say that in many professions, there is the good, there is the bad, and there is the ugly.
11:03 But that does not take away from the authenticity of the profession.
11:06 Law enforcement is something that requires a certain measure of self-respect, integrity, and ethics.
11:13 And it's something that has to be instilled in you before you become a police trainee.
11:17 Because if you have a weakness for money and you become an officer, you may have the opportunity to act on that weakness.
11:23 If you have a weakness for women and you become an officer, you have an opportunity to act on that weakness.
11:28 But if you have the integrity, before you become an officer, you also have the opportunity, as Mr. Myers showed, to show that this is what I am made of.
11:36 So again, I want to encourage parents to take their responsibility, train the children, teach them morals, teach them ethics,
11:42 and teach them to fear the law, and to fear God, and to do the right things.
11:46 I hope that the officers understand the importance of the uniform that you wear.
11:50 Because many times when the officers are out there trying their best to do the job the right way,
11:56 the few bad apples obviously make everybody look rotten.
12:00 So we have to be careful with that.
12:02 Let us bear in mind that a man is still innocent until the courts prove him guilty.
12:06 Well, let's see how that goes.
12:07 Now, also in another situation, before we get ready to head to the break,
12:11 a young lady, a 36-year-old bank worker, has been gunned down outside her home in Bataria.
12:18 And at about 4 p.m. on Monday, Shamelle Reese of Kitchener Avenue had just arrived at her home in her Honda Civic.
12:27 Now, upon attempting to exit the vehicle and open her gate, another vehicle pulled alongside her.
12:33 And explosions were heard. The vehicle then drove off.
12:37 Now, residents of the area, upon checking, found Reese slumped against the driver's seat of her vehicle.
12:44 She was bleeding from gunshot wounds to her head and neck.
12:48 The police and paramedics were notified, and the injured woman was taken to the Eric Williams Medical Center Complex.
12:55 However, Reese died while undergoing treatment.
12:59 Again, condolences to the family, the Reese family, with that situation.
13:03 And I know the investigation is continuing there.
13:05 And of course, I hope that we will get some sort of update when it comes to that to inform the public.
13:11 Because we're seeing time and time again, even days, weeks gone, where women in particular,
13:17 we are seeing that they are being under attack, and we are not sure, apart from just the domestic side of it,
13:23 other reasons why we are seeing women being such an easy target now.
13:29 And it is disturbing. Really, really disturbing.
13:33 It is disturbing, and again, I would extend condolences to the family of that young lady.
13:38 And some perpetrators may find, because women may tend to be a little bit more emotional,
13:43 and they may become fearful easier, in some cases, they may target the woman,
13:47 as well as if they are unable to target the man, because maybe he's not that wrong,
13:51 but they have a personal vendetta against him, they may try to target the female.
13:55 Because we still have to understand what is the motive behind this unfortunate situation.
14:00 And also, apart from moving away from the situation, too, females also have to be careful.
14:05 The persons they get involved with, not meaning in an intimate way, but also persons you think may be friends,
14:12 or you associate yourself with, you don't know the lifestyle that some of these individuals are involved in,
14:18 and even some of them who may know the lifestyle that they choose, that you decide that,
14:23 "Okay, I will remain in this situation as friends," or know what they do, you're putting yourself at risk.
14:30 That's correct, and I would also encourage them to not only know the persons, but also know the families of these persons.
14:37 Even if it's just because you speak about the intimate situation, people pretend, people act,
14:42 people put on a facade, get to know their aunts, get to know their mom, get to know their sisters,
14:47 and the way they relate to the females in their family, trust me, that is the way they would want to relate to you as well.
14:51 Thank you for that. We will take your calls on more when we return. Let's take that break.
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15:29 [Music]
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15:36 Do enjoy Stacey.
15:38 Thanks.
15:39 Do you want some coffee?
15:41 [Music]
15:43 Can I have a sip?
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15:49 Perfect, man.
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16:00 Whatever you're here for, we're here for you.
16:04 Stay smart at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites.
16:08 [Music]
16:14 [Music]
16:23 It reached on my doorstep.
16:25 My son was gone down on Charlotte Street.
16:29 At the age of 11 years old, I saw a murder take place right around this community center.
16:34 I can't even walk down the road without being scared for my life.
16:37 There are a lot of young, talented people in Lafontaine.
16:42 [Cheering]
16:44 [Music]
16:50 And we are back, and of course with us acting ASP Kevin Martin at the Moncton and K9 unit.
16:57 Now, we want to know a little bit more about the role and function of the unit when it comes to crime prevention.
17:04 Okay, as I said before, one of our strategic pillars is community partnership.
17:09 The Moncton Band plays a very important role because it provides patrols in villages and in towns.
17:14 And this causes people to prevent, this contributes to the prevention of crime.
17:19 So, we believe that because people see the horses, people will be prevented from engaging in crime.
17:24 Also, because of the horses, people are happy to come out of their homes, come out of their communities, and engage in actually riding the horses.
17:31 So, what makes, speaking of yes, the excitement of seeing a horse maybe for the very first time up close and personal,
17:37 but when it comes to the criminals themselves, what, apart from just the horses being a deterrent,
17:44 is it that they are able to go through different areas with the horses that officers may not be able to enter into?
17:53 They are able to go through certain terrain that may be difficult for a person, that's certainly impossible for vehicles.
17:58 Okay.
17:59 But generally speaking, people respond very friendly and positively,
18:04 so that we have not had challenges of criminal elements attacking our officers and horseback.
18:09 We have had officers and horse going into what you consider hotspot areas, and people coming out, criminal or not criminal, we don't know.
18:15 So, is it more rural that you will use?
18:17 Well, we tend to use the horses anywhere, especially when we have tourists come on the boats.
18:24 We have a lot of times the horses will be there just to provide a presence in Port of Spain.
18:28 We have horses will normally go to the areas of the zoo, the gardens.
18:31 We have horses will go into other areas, toco, wherever people are, they may request horses and horses will go to their areas.
18:37 And then we also have persons coming to Monty Branch and riding the horses.
18:41 And a lot of people, their first memory of riding a horse is a police horse.
18:45 Yeah, I know. I tried that. Yeah, I'm still terrified of the horses. They're too big for me.
18:50 Let's speak about the canine though.
18:52 I know this is times have changed, and of course, using the canine helps the TTPS in a major way.
18:58 That's true.
18:59 When it comes to going to what exactly that you may be looking for.
19:03 Maybe sometimes you may not be looking for because your horses may smell things that the human eye may not be able to even see.
19:10 And obviously, we won't be able to smell and detect certain narcotics.
19:15 Let us know a little bit more about that.
19:16 Now, again, one of our pillars is also public safety.
19:19 And the canines are trained in such a way to detect firearms, to detect narcotics, to find carnivores.
19:27 Some of them are trained to detect explosives.
19:30 So that in a lot of instances, they provide security for the prime minister, the president, heads of nationalities.
19:36 So whenever they have to engage certain places, we send the canines.
19:39 For example, even as we have the T20 coming up, we have canines being specifically trained to deal with the T20.
19:45 Because we play a very critical role and support a lot of these services in the fight against crime.
19:51 Now, is it not because I had a situation abroad.
19:55 I don't know if we have that here because you mentioned the different roles the canines may have or you all will be using the dogs for.
20:04 And there was one canine that I had an encounter with that was for currency.
20:09 Do we have that here as well?
20:10 Yes, we have canines trained for currency.
20:12 We also have tactical canines.
20:14 So if somebody is trying to run, you have canines that are trained to bring down the person and those type of things.
20:18 That's amazing.
20:19 So we have a lot of canines.
20:21 That's why I encourage young people, don't just see policing as a run and run abandoned, but there are many areas of specialty.
20:27 There's community policing, there's homicide.
20:29 I want to encourage young people, see policing as a career.
20:32 All right.
20:33 And a serious one.
20:34 And a serious one.
20:35 Majestic collector check.
20:36 You all can give us a call at 623-1711, extension 1992, 1993, 1996, and 1997.
20:44 Let's have to the phone lines.
20:45 Hello, good evening.
20:46 Hello.
20:47 Hello.
20:48 Good afternoon.
20:51 Jackie.
20:52 No, you're live, sir.
20:54 Okay, listen, we need you to take off the volume on your television so we can hear you.
21:08 Let's make sure that we are organized there.
21:11 Please, when you call, take off the volume on the television when you call us.
21:16 Hello.
21:17 Good afternoon.
21:18 Yes.
21:19 Good evening, sir.
21:20 Go ahead.
21:21 When I'm saying, when we see the commissioner, I have got no time extended it, even though she didn't really complete what she said she would do first.
21:34 Okay, listen to me.
21:36 Yes.
21:37 And then, all right, there's a comment about the making the CCJ the final court of appeal in Trinidad and Tobago.
21:48 I don't even know the period comes, okay?
21:51 What I'm saying from a reasonable perspective, I don't think we're really ready for that settlement, because as far as people are concerned, the period comes, it is working.
22:05 It is working.
22:07 Okay, because what I want to point out, too, is that nobody can pick up no phone, right, and call no money and down in the street.
22:16 No one breaks anyone and have a conversation with them concerning any matter of difference.
22:24 Okay, we have here already where a certain prime minister and a judge who had a criminal procedure in the Mississauga public office was on a plane, etc., etc.
22:40 It was a list.
22:42 And the reason why the criminal procedure didn't proceed is because the person who was to come and give evidence against that judge was a magistrate who failed to do so.
22:54 So what I'm saying, I think it's better more justice that we deal with people who come to convene, because we are the CCJ, the final when we have judges like Mr. Tyle, Rundle, Lavaski, and Stewart, and the plaintiff.
23:10 I'm going to comment about two magistrates, put my mind.
23:15 Thank you for calling.
23:16 Now it seems like he had his points and his opinions when it comes to the Privy Council and the decisions being made and all the allegations which we are not going to touch on because I don't have court closed and I am not venturing there.
23:32 So this is a crime prevention program.
23:37 We're not getting involved in the politics at all.
23:40 So I'm going to leave that there.
23:42 And we continue with the calls.
23:44 Hello, good evening.
23:47 Hello.
23:48 Hello.
23:49 Yes, you're live.
23:50 A pleasant night to you guys.
23:52 I want to first of all send my condolences to the trans-Liberal police leaders and the lords of the Commonwealth.
23:57 Thank you very much.
23:59 Hello.
24:00 Yes, we hear you.
24:01 Thank you for that.
24:02 I would like to ask the officer from the Monk and Branch, like how things are going with the host of the thing.
24:09 We have a program where they can access civilians in training their dogs.
24:13 Repeat that.
24:14 You're a bit muffled.
24:15 The police have a program where they can access civilians in training their dogs.
24:21 Oh, okay.
24:22 Understood.
24:23 With civilians training their dogs, if the TTPS has that as well.
24:27 That's an excellent idea.
24:29 Thank you.
24:30 But it's not something that we have established as yet.
24:32 Now, persons can come to the Monk and Branch and they can ask for advice, but we don't have a structured program of police officers helping civilians to train their dogs.
24:43 Okay.
24:44 Because in that case, I mean the training that the officers are training those dogs, you don't want civilians to have access to that, right?
24:50 Not just that.
24:51 I don't think you're going to train a civilian dog to find drugs and to find guns and those type of things.
24:56 Unless you're a criminal element and you want that.
24:58 Our training is done in such a way that we are in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and we have a puppy program.
25:03 So it will take about two years for a dog to go from a puppy to an actual working police canine.
25:09 So it's an entire process.
25:10 It's an entire process and it's a cost-saving process as well.
25:14 But I think that's a nice initiative.
25:16 You could have to engage the community as well if you could find a way to have family and friends come together to train the dog.
25:25 When I say so, you know, understand how to control a dog, don't run their set with the commands.
25:31 That's a nice way to bring the community together with the TTPS.
25:35 That's an excellent idea.
25:36 What I can say in terms of training is more in terms of the horses that we have a special program called a civilian training program from Monday to Wednesday.
25:43 Monday to Thursday on an afternoon where civilians can come in and be taught how to ride a horse.
25:48 And then when they pass out, they can actually become a friend of Mother Marge.
25:51 We also have special children who have special needs and they are also trained to be able to train the horses developmentally and physically.
25:58 We have a call on the line. Let's take that call.
26:01 Good evening.
26:03 Good evening, sir.
26:05 Good evening, officer. How are you all doing?
26:07 Good afternoon, sir.
26:08 Officer, I have a serious question. I know you may not be able to answer it, but still, I have to make it extremely public.
26:16 Why are we still having so many arcade loads when it pertains to the FUL holders?
26:24 Like for instance, the very first step that you're supposed to have or be taken when you acquire your firearm is to go down to forensics and have it tested for ballistics. Correct?
26:36 Yes.
26:38 Alright. So why is it when a FUL holder defends themselves, an investigator goes through a process, realizing that the FUL holder is in his right,
26:52 they take the firearm from the FUL holder for such a lengthy period of time, not only even the men, it's full, to all the elements.
27:02 When they already have shell casings, even the projectiles from ballistic testing, which should ultimately take about a day.
27:15 Alright? Because I've been outside of Trinidad and Tobago, namely to the US and also England, where I've seen these things happen.
27:24 It goes for testing, you realize what's happening, you back your firearm immediately.
27:30 Why do we have to wait over a year and more just to get back your firearm?
27:37 Well, Cutler, just as I said...
27:38 Alright, officers, excuse us one second. We need to take a break and when we come back, we'll respond to the caller.
27:42 We'll be back.
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29:44 And we are back and remember you could give us a call at 623-1711, extension 1992, 1993, 1996 and 1997.
29:54 To the caller who called a few minutes ago of course with regards to Shaw having an incident with his FUL where he was defending himself.
30:04 Investigation obviously had to, he has to go to investigation.
30:08 And now they are still holding his head firearm and he is exposed.
30:14 So as the caller said, I may not have the information for that question.
30:18 But we will try to arrange for someone from the FUL section to come in the future to address those types of questions.
30:23 I hope that they do because we need someone from that unit, that FUL unit, that department.
30:32 They need to come here because this is an ongoing situation that we have many times on the show where people will call and they need information.
30:40 They need direction and for me I don't even have a FUL and it frustrated me.
30:47 Far less the persons who are trying. We have seen what is going on in the country.
30:50 And persons that are doing things the right way and abiding by the law and following the way things are done.
30:57 They are treated like the ones who are the criminals.
31:02 The most are the most.
31:04 So what are they going to do now? When persons try to defend themselves and their lives, they are going to take a chance and purchase an illegal firearm?
31:11 Well I hope not.
31:13 And that's what we don't want.
31:14 But it's almost like it's pushing them in that direction because we are seeing what is going on as you mentioned.
31:19 Officers can't be everywhere and they are trying to do things the right way and people wait 10 years.
31:24 And it has to be dealt with.
31:26 So I'm hoping that the Commissioner and those that be in that unit could please I am begging send someone from the FUL Department so we could find out and rectify some of these issues moving forward.
31:39 Because I don't have the answers and I wish I did.
31:42 Because it is really really frustrating for some of these callers.
31:45 I understand and I still want to encourage the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
31:49 Whether our laws are considered archaic or it's considered modern.
31:54 Let us continue to work under the limit of the law to ensure that Trinidad and Tobago becomes a better society.
32:00 Yes. So how is it working alongside?
32:03 I'm not sure if you have the Defence Force working with your mounted and canine unit like some of the other divisions.
32:10 Is that the case or no?
32:12 No, not directly with the unit.
32:13 What happens is that our unit is a support unit.
32:16 So that we support the division. So that the divisions may go on exercises, yes, with the Defence Force.
32:21 But they wouldn't find the Defence Force and the canines going on patrol.
32:25 Yes, there have been partnerships between the Defence Force and the Mounted Branch for example in terms of training.
32:30 For example in terms of independence.
32:32 We have even had partnerships with the United Kingdom.
32:35 So they came and they partnered with our horse, and they were training them and stuff like that.
32:39 But not the way you would think.
32:41 What capacity does your unit use with NDTTPS apart from of course when we speak of, I don't want to just say independence day and Republic Day.
32:52 But apart from that?
32:54 Okay, the Mounted Branch performs foot patrol, they perform mobile patrol and of course they perform horse patrols on a daily basis.
33:03 Okay.
33:04 In addition to, as I said, independence, Memorial Day, opening of the lotto and all these special duties.
33:10 Canine Branch, they operate basically on a 24-hour basis.
33:14 And they are very, very involved in terms of the detection of firearms, narcotics.
33:19 They work with other units and they provide that support.
33:22 And behind almost every fine is a canine.
33:25 So with regards to the communities and the outreach programs you all have, talk to me about that a little bit more with your unit.
33:32 Okay, both the Mounted and the canine are engaged in community duties.
33:36 What happens at the Mounted Branch, they will go to schools, they will go to police street clubs, they will go to businesses, they will go to faith-based organizations.
33:43 And they will allow the person the opportunity to ride on a horse and they will engage them.
33:47 This helps to build our trust and build our relationship.
33:50 And then sometimes people may give us information that we can use in other ways to reduce crime.
33:54 Then and there, any moment, then and there when you're interacting with the community, persons assist in some way by reaching out.
34:02 They feel comfortable.
34:03 Yes, they feel comfortable and they trust us and we build that relationship.
34:07 And with the canines, they also go into various areas and they have the displays and they show how they just take down persons and they show how they find the job.
34:14 And the children are really amazed.
34:16 So of course, this is, as you mentioned, an opportunity for children and also the teenagers to see a different light to the TTPS and an opportunity also to enter.
34:26 That's correct.
34:27 And again, I want to encourage persons to see Trinidad and Tobago Police Service as a career that they can choose.
34:33 So apart from these initiatives that we are seeing here, if persons need to reach out to get you all involved in their communities, how could they reach out to you?
34:42 Okay, what happens is that they can call us at 622-4418, 622-4418.
34:50 Or they can send us an email at mumtid@ttps.gov.tt.
34:56 mumtid@ttps.gov.tt.
35:00 So these initiatives that we are seeing here, is it something that you see that develops these different communities in a way where the trust is...
35:09 Yes.
35:10 Where it comes to the TTPS and the communities?
35:14 Yes. I want to also say we also have a mentorship program where we would have been engaged with schools such as the St. Lucie Primary School as well as the St. Jude's
35:23 and they would have had their members come to our place of work, they rode our horses, we taught them math, we taught them English, spoke to them about discipline, spoke to them about life decisions.
35:32 So that's an ongoing mentorship program.
35:35 And again, we also have, as I said before, the special... we have had these training in terms of the people who have special needs, some lady who joined us.
35:43 Yes.
35:44 Some of them went on and represented in the Special Olympics, they went to Germany, won about seven medals actually, and we also have Special Olympics this weekend actually at MUMTID and KINAMAT on Sunday.
35:56 Now with your branch, could persons... is there a specific... oh, the branch is open?
36:01 When I say so, because it's still considered part of... it is part of the TTPS.
36:09 So if something happens, God forbid to me, and I... the closest place to me is the branch, they say at Long Circular, I could swing in there and make a report?
36:17 Of course, as the officer spoke yesterday, they don't know the one door policy, especially with something that is about emergency in detail.
36:24 Now in terms of the persons who will be riding the horses, of course that will not be any night time.
36:29 Oh gosh, no, no, no, no.
36:30 That will not be during the day and all those type of programs, it will mostly be finished about six o'clock in the afternoon for the adults, and of course the one in the morning is for the children which will do the special needs.
36:38 But it's a branch like any other branch, and if you have an emergency, and I trust that they are there, respond.
36:44 Because we have had that situation last year, where there was a shooting at Long Circular Mall, and the first place the persons came was by us, and we responded first.
36:51 Okay, understood. So of course there is a location that is open, it's not there just to go and ride horses during the day.
36:56 No, no, no, no, no.
36:57 Just to be clear, you know, I just wanted to make sure so the citizens understand in case of any emergency, and that is the closest place for you to reach out to the TTPS, of course it's a one...
37:07 That's correct. One door policy, you are a police officer first before you are a police officer or a police canine.
37:12 Yes.
37:13 And we protect and serve the people of Trinidad and Tobago with pride.
37:15 Alright. We take a break, when we come back we continue with more.
37:19 [Music]
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38:26 I'm on the road safe, because life is precious. Plus, I can't afford to pay another speeding ticket.
38:34 A message from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
38:47 We are back, and we are back, sorry, acting ASP. Martin, let us know, you know, the role, especially for Carnival, because I saw you were very instrumental, not just here, but every year for Carnival.
38:59 Now, the Moncton and Canine Branch is very involved in ensuring the safety of people during the Carnival season.
39:07 Whether it be the Trinidad Carnival or the Tobago Carnival.
39:11 So that what has always been happening is from about a month before, we would have something called the horse scare.
39:17 Where we would normally have, in most cases, police recruits. They would dress up in different colors, and we would have persons playing music, and they would be scaring the horses and dancing around the horses.
39:26 So that on the Carnival Monday and Tuesday, the horse would not be afraid or confused when they come into town and they see people engaging in similar activities.
39:34 We also have the horses working in conjunction with other sections, for example, the Garden Emergency Branch.
39:40 So if there is in fact a riot, you will find the horses will be able to subdue the crowd without people having to be injured and do separate things.
39:47 Because when people see horses, they are not going to engage.
39:50 So again, this is where the horse scare comes in, and we also have the canines, the dogs are also trained and prepared in advance before, during the horse scare as well.
39:58 Now outside of Carnival and Independence, what are the big events that we will see your unit involved in?
40:06 Okay, in terms of the Moncton Branch, whenever there is a new president being sworn in, of course the horses will be part of that.
40:14 The opening of the law term, the horses will be part of that.
40:17 When we have persons come, like ambassadors come and they have to go to the president, we have the horses that are also part of that escort.
40:24 So those are some of the main things that we do, apart from our routine patrols and what not.
40:28 Okay, understood. We have a call on the line, let's take that call. Hello, good evening.
40:31 Good evening.
40:33 Good evening, ma'am.
40:35 Good evening, Miss Husband, Jackie, and to the gentlemen on set.
40:41 Good afternoon.
40:42 I listen actively to the pains of the persons calling concerning the FUO, whatever.
40:53 But I have three pieces of examples that I must give, because I've said this ad nauseam,
41:04 that if you attempt to arm the entire population, there is and there will be no guarantee that having an FUN or a weapon
41:19 is going to be struck to you as illegal as it is, you are going to be secured.
41:28 We saw the video, the footage you showed earlier with the officer. Where is he?
41:35 If I take your mind back to sometime last year, I think it was at Enterprise,
41:41 the officer was standing in the yard speaking with a friend when the assailants come.
41:49 Where is he today? He was trapped.
41:53 The other one driving in company with a female in the Kew area, he sought to fight back,
42:01 but he too is gone from us.
42:04 And I'm saying while I hear you, and there may be justifications for persons who wish to have the item,
42:12 we ought never to sell it as the cure for crime. And that's what I'm hearing.
42:19 Everybody calls, everybody wants one, and if it's the cure, it's not.
42:25 Let me tell you what it is.
42:27 It's God. God coming back home and going to school. That's the cure. Have a good evening.
42:36 Thank you for calling.
42:37 Thank you very much.
42:38 I always say God will be number one, middle and last, regardless.
42:42 But we also have to state as well that persons have to protect themselves.
42:48 And if that is the means, we are not dealing with persons who are pelting marshmallows at individuals.
42:56 If that was the case, we wouldn't be standing here speaking about crime every single day
43:01 and persons trying to find the best way to protect their families.
43:05 Now I hear what you're saying, but also we have to take into consideration as well,
43:09 persons are going to basically lay their lives on the line to protect what they love and care for.
43:16 So I am not going to judge anyone based on a person wanting something that they see or deem
43:23 as a means of protecting themselves with equal force.
43:27 No, I understand that. But what Trinidad and Tobago needs to understand is that it's not us versus them.
43:34 When we understand the history of policing in Trinidad and Tobago, during the time of Picton,
43:40 around 1797 when we came under British, there was a rift between police and society.
43:44 That's why we had to go to Barbados to get police.
43:47 But this is 2024. We need to work together with the police.
43:50 When people have information about illegal firearms, say something, come in, talk to us.
43:55 There's a community policing aspect. You could always call this station and ask the community police
43:59 and see if they could trust that person more. And work with the TPS.
44:02 It's not us versus them. We are working together. This is our country. This is our problem.
44:06 Now you know I also saw a person that I would like to reference to the United States in a major way.
44:12 And they're different states with their gun laws.
44:15 In many of the states that allow persons to bear arms, you will think because the majority of the persons in the state
44:24 will have the firearm that everybody will be drawing and shooting one. And that is not the case.
44:29 You'll be surprised that persons actually think twice before acting because you just don't know.
44:35 I'm speaking of legal firearms here. I am not speaking of persons who have their illegal firearm.
44:40 But they think twice because everyone has a firearm on them.
44:46 So the reaction obviously once you have a firearm, you're supposed to be even more responsible.
44:51 But the culture is different. So again, this is...
44:54 Laws are different. The culture is different. And we also have had persons in the United States walking into schools.
44:58 Of course. And they're shooting. And I say no more.
45:00 So as I said, the culture is different on different spectrums. But we need to find a balance.
45:05 And clearly as time moves forward and time evolves and things change, we have to change with the time as well.
45:11 That's correct.
45:12 Alright. So I want to take a look at this video here. Tell us what's happening here.
45:17 ASB.
45:19 Okay. So you'll actually see a police vehicle in the back as well.
45:22 So what you're seeing here is the horses actually running through the Queens Park, Nevada.
45:26 Now there are different speeds that the three horses operate on.
45:29 For example, here's the slowest which will just be a little short, a little walk.
45:32 And then here, you actually see them galloping through the savannah, just allowing the horses to be free.
45:37 We also had persons from England very recently who would have been part of the training program for the officers on the mountain branch.
45:43 And they would have been engaged in this exercise because it's a partnership between England and Trinidad and Tobago.
45:49 We also purchased horses from Holland and purchased dogs from the United States.
45:53 So again, we see our partnership is not only regionally, but it's internationally.
45:57 So this is the horses just having a good time here at the savannah.
46:00 And those are police officers.
46:02 Are you able to make sure the horses are controlled, especially when they are around children?
46:06 And of course, I saw where there is a large group of people gathering.
46:11 I saw that with the training.
46:13 But how – you can't predict, you're not in the mind of the horse.
46:16 How would we know, or the officers are able to know, that the horse may be a bit uncomfortable in certain situations?
46:23 No, you're not in the mind of the horse, as you rightly said.
46:25 And the horse is not a motorcycle. It has its own mind.
46:27 But the horses are trained.
46:29 So, horses that used to be race horses that would have been donated, and they are what we call remounted,
46:35 so they are actually trained to do policing, and then we have horses that would have been purchased, and they are also trained.
46:40 Because of the training and the fact that the officers themselves are specialists, they would have an idea how to deal with the horse.
46:46 And if the horse is in an environment where it becomes uncomfortable,
46:49 they would normally walk the horse away before it becomes a risk to anybody.
46:53 Okay. We take a break, and when we come back, we'll wrap things up. We'll be back.
46:56 [Music]
47:24 It's a call at 235-5479 for more information.
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47:34 Where good private health care is affordable.
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47:46 It reached on my doorstep. My son was gunned down on Charlotte Street.
47:52 At the age of 11 years old, I saw a murder take place right around this community center.
47:57 I can't even walk down the road without being scared for my life.
48:00 There are a lot of young, talented people in Lafontaine.
48:05 [Applause]
48:07 What's up, you guys? I am Ren.
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48:40 [Music]
48:45 And we are back acting ASP Martin.
48:48 Let us know about sports day.
48:50 I mean, it was this weekend.
48:52 And I understand it was one that was one successful, enjoyable.
48:58 And I'm happy to hear that everything turned out okay.
49:01 Not just okay, but great.
49:03 It was another team-building exercise.
49:06 The Monkton and Canine Branch came first in our hearts, but officially became eighth in the March Pass.
49:14 Chloe said that.
49:15 We came eighth in the March Pass.
49:16 But I want to really appreciate all of the officers of the Monkton and Canine Branch.
49:20 I think they came out day after day, afternoon after afternoon, and they worked hard and it was well done.
49:26 The public really enjoyed seeing our display.
49:28 The public always comes out every sport and they really enjoy seeing what is done by the Monkton and Canine Branch.
49:33 So you can see what we did on the screen here.
49:35 We had our queen, you know.
49:36 Again, it was a really powerful team-building exercise.
49:39 I want to also encourage students again to see policing as a career.
49:43 I want to see civilians who are interested in becoming members of the Monkton and Canine Branch.
49:49 You have that FIVO level, you have that driver's permit, 18 to 35, you can become an officer.
49:54 And you can come in and then officers who have already had more than two years' service can apply.
49:58 We have a powerful team that will train you and develop you to become better than you are.
50:04 Yes.
50:05 So we're seeing here, of course, the canines.
50:08 I'm seeing the canines.
50:09 You had the canines involved as well.
50:10 Yes, that was part of our display.
50:11 We had the canine running and jumping and then we also had the horse on display as well.
50:16 And we were trying to put them behind a circus.
50:18 And then we had a very, very powerful march past display.
50:21 We didn't get the results that we wanted, but we look forward to next year.
50:25 And we already started putting things in place for better results.
50:27 Yes.
50:28 Come next year, go ahead.
50:29 So persons give them the contact info, of course.
50:31 So again, our email address is monkton@ttps.gov.tt.
50:36 And our phone number is 622-4418.
50:43 And I want to encourage the people of Trinidad and Tobago again, work with the TTPS, work with our commissioner.
50:51 The business community have to do what they have to do.
50:53 Faith-based organizations have to do what they have to do.
50:55 Families have to do what they have to do.
50:57 And let's work together to make Trinidad and Tobago a safer place.
51:00 Yes.
51:01 Thank you for being here and taking time out of your busy schedule, of course, to talk to the public and let us know a little bit more about your unit.
51:08 Acting ASP Kevin Martin of the Moncton and K9 Unit, we thank you for being here with us this evening.
51:15 We get ready for news coming up next at 7 o'clock.
51:18 Of course, we'll be back here again, same time, at 6.
51:22 All right.
51:23 So TNT, always remember be pure and just and have God in your life no matter what.
51:27 We will see you tomorrow.
51:31 And of course, let us do better as citizens.
51:34 Remember, we have to abide by the laws and don't make excuses for the things that we do when we do things wrong and make ourselves extremely hard target.
51:44 Observe your surroundings and make sure that you reach home to your loved ones safely.
51:50 All right, TNT, we are out.
51:52 God bless.
51:53 [Music]
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