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03:01Good evening, children.
03:03Welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:05My name is Whitney Husbands.
03:07Today is Friday the 19th of July.
03:09We are getting ready for a weekend that many of us may be looking for rest or those of you may be working.
03:16Now, the headline reads today, the police are pushing back.
03:20And they're pushing back in a major way.
03:22In-your-face policing.
03:24We'll discuss more on that and, of course, what is making the headlines today with us this evening.
03:27No stranger to this show.
03:29The gentleman responsible for spearheading the fight against the criminal elements, DCP Junior Benjamin with us this evening.
03:37Good evening to you, sir. How are you?
03:39It's a privilege to be here.
03:41I am great. I am grateful that I'm here.
03:43And I'm even saying a pleasant good afternoon to those that are listening.
03:46Yes.
03:48Now, I know I can't say if you've got rest because we saw what is taking place in the country already.
03:53It's really not a laughing matter for the citizens and also the officers who are dealing with what we are seeing unfolding in front of our eyes with our country.
04:04Now, the headlines, as I said, read the TTPS is pushing back.
04:08In-your-face policing.
04:10Are we bearing any fruit thus far?
04:12I mean, it's too early to say.
04:13What happened yesterday that we saw where you were on the ground, on the roads and dealing with different situations?
04:23Where are we now?
04:25Well, first of all, let me just say that the strategy that you saw yesterday, it is part of a continuation of what the police has been doing over the past months.
04:35We have been looking at the crime statistics and we allow the statistics to lead us as to exactly what strategy we should do.
04:44We constantly, based on our strategic plan, operational plan, and by extension, our commissioner's violent reduction plan, we look at those things and we would seek to implement various measures.
04:56And we would monitor those measures and would make the various changes accordingly.
05:01Given the present situation where we saw the crime situation over the weekend, again, our hearts really bleed and it's saddened for those who have lost their lives.
05:11And again, condolences to the family.
05:13But we are also saying that it says something to us.
05:17Certainly, the citizens of Toronto and Tobago was crying out and asking for urgent action.
05:22The police has responded, based on the instructions from the commissioner of police and even by extension, the prime minister, that it's time for the police to really show themselves.
05:36And again, part of our process is where we look again at the strategies and we looked at those strategies and decided that it is time to have greater police visibility and with a greater intent.
05:48Let me just say, I think that it was one of the best things that ever happened, even as we continue to push.
05:53Let me just probably give you a little feedback into some of the things that we have accomplished just in that 24 hours or so.
06:00We had at least, in terms of exercises, we had 148 exercises.
06:06We had at least 113 persons arrested.
06:11We had at least 464 fixed penalty notices were served.
06:16We had seven firearms found.
06:19And let me say, out of those seven firearms, at least two of them, I can say thus far, are what we call AR-15s.
06:27We had at least 387 wrongs seized.
06:33Of those wrongs, I can tell you, at least over 216 of them is at least what we call 5.56, which are the ones that are using rifles.
06:45And we also had at least 1,358 stop-and-search forms that helps us in terms of our data, in terms of how we process things.
06:56So it means that the police were out in their numbers and we really bore a lot of fruits in that 24 hours.
07:02And to me, this is credit to the Commissioner and the fact that the crime plan, that violence reduction plan, is working for us.
07:13And it will continue to work as we really push back in that in-your-face policing.
07:18You mentioned where persons will need stop-and-search and getting information to put in our database.
07:24As a civilian, how should I and others treat when an officer, not just in a roadblock, stops you to gather that information?
07:32Well, first of all, we want to ask citizens as much as possible to comply.
07:37It is important because even as we take the information, the information helps us in terms of, as we gather one, we're able to know exactly the vehicles that were checked.
07:49And even, you know, we can use that data to even, in the future, know that if a person was warned of an intended prosecution, that, hello, hey, we have the evidence to at least substantiate that kind of fact.
08:05But it is something that we know that some people might not understand, you know, the purpose, but it's something very important.
08:11Because as we gather data, we had a situation where, again, from that data, we were able to pinpoint a robbery that took place.
08:21Because when we look back and we check the number plate, it was one of those number plates.
08:26And from there, we were able to pinpoint exactly where the person was, and eventually the person was apprehended.
08:31So it's very important.
08:32Now, I also read that this is not a one-time-in-your-face strategy, where we're seeing the roadblocks.
08:40And you all mentioned that you all will be doing it.
08:43Now, it may be a nightmare for some because we're living March 2015, where we had that gridlocked traffic, and everyone was saying, what is really going on here?
08:53But this is a different situation.
08:54Now, with that information that you all put out there, that we're going to see more of this, how is this going to make the citizens feel safer and not feel so much inconvenience?
09:05Well, I just need to tell you that if in 24 hours we got seven firearms, I want to tell you the firearms that are out there that is doing the damage, they are not walking.
09:15They are on persons, and they're in vehicles.
09:17In one vehicle, we found at least 176, what we call 5.56.
09:24So it is in the vehicles, and therefore, it is because the police takes the time to do the stop and search.
09:32That's how we're able to find these things.
09:35What was the reaction from the public at that moment?
09:38Again, you always will find mixed feelings.
09:42And again, a lot of people, this is not something that when we find it, we jump up and say, one time we deal with these things very decisively.
09:50And again, it's not about a show, but what we are saying is that we think as a police service, whatever we do, it is based on purpose.
09:58It is based on a strategy, a strategy that we recognize, again, in the long run will yield results.
10:05And the results that we want to see is that reduction in crime.
10:08And eventually, we believe with the reduction in crime, once you see more police on the streets, it will also bring down the fear of crime, which is critical if we want to have a very peaceful society.
10:20Let's take a look at what made today's headlines.
11:20A lot that made the headlines in the past 24 hours going straight into the weekend, and oh, I will say the TTPS has a lot on their hands.
11:45And I understand why the commissioner came out not wanting to interrupt the vocation of those, but understand the severity of the situation, the crime situation.
11:56Now, when it comes to planning exercises, what do you all take into consideration?
12:01I mean, without putting everything on there, I know you can't say everything.
12:05Let's just say that, first of all, when you go to plan an operation, you want to make sure that you're able to, firstly, define what the problem is, identify what the problem is.
12:18What are you hoping to accomplish?
12:20And then, you know, with that, you would want to look at, you know, the strategies that you would use.
12:27You want to use the one that you believe that will give you the best results.
12:30You would want to, again, when you implement, monitor and evaluate whether or not at the end of the day, you know, those strategies actually work.
12:39So, again, very important would be how you brief your persons.
12:43You want to make sure that they are aware of the objectives, and even, you know, if you're going out there, persons, et cetera.
12:49And at the end, you evaluate whether it works, and if it doesn't, you make the necessary adjustments.
12:54So, it's really a tactical maneuver, and it's something that, as police officers, as senior police officers, we seek to do on a regular basis.
13:02So, this is nothing new to us.
13:04We continue to do it, and we continue to do it skillfully so that we can get results.
13:08Now, I know in different divisions, the culture is different.
13:11We always speak about that on the show when we have the heads of the different divisions come here and they speak.
13:17Now, I know there's a basic strategy that you may follow, or crime plan that you may follow.
13:23But what in your position, because the hat that you're wearing is one that is responsible to fighting the crime.
13:32How are you able now to find ways for each division to then give them a strategy that may work?
13:40Or can it work, or could one strategy work for different areas that they consider hotspots?
13:45Well, certainly, you know, even as you understand that crime is not static.
13:49Crime is very dynamic, and therefore, it will vary from division to division.
13:55And therefore, through our ComStat meeting, we are able to speak with our divisional commanders.
14:00We also have our crime analyst, you know, from the Kappa branch that gives us the stats.
14:07And again, we allow the stats to speak to us.
14:10Those stats is what we use to determine exactly what strategies we should implement.
14:15And again, there are different types of strategies.
14:16There are strategic strategies, operational, and tactical.
14:20So at every level, it is important that those three levels seek to merge as we seek to, one, fulfill the strategic plan, and also the operational plan.
14:30And by extension, the commissioners' violence reduction plan.
14:33Now, I know you'll always mention the stats.
14:36And you must look at the facts to see where to go and the direction that you need to go into.
14:43But sometimes the public may not feel like we are seeing or feeling a change.
14:50How are you going to reassure persons with not just saying, okay, the stats are showing a reduction in rape, a reduction in serious crimes, a reduction in gang activity, but the public is still not feeling like that feels like a reduction?
15:03That's an excellent question, Whitney.
15:05Whitney, I think because so many times we believe, people have the opinion, if we reduce crime, that the fear of crime will reduce.
15:15That is not always like that.
15:17There is a difference between reduction in crime and the reduction in the fear of crime.
15:22If we want to reduce the fear of crime, I'm of the firm opinion that, one, it is how we treat the public that makes that difference.
15:30When people recognize that when they come to the police station, they're treated with a level of courtesy and respect when the customer service speak to that.
15:40When a person comes and you take their report and you're able to follow up and a person knows at least, hey, two weeks after, you know, you will get a call and a month after so that you know that, hello, hey, people are really, you know, concerned in terms of what is going on.
15:55People say, no, no, no, no, that's not my police, you know what I'm saying?
15:57They look out for me.
15:59And therefore, what happened, the fear of crime goes down.
16:02And this is what we are seeking to, you know, inculcate in areas where we see it is lacking.
16:07But we are now seeking to do that because I'm going around meeting with the officers.
16:12At this point in time, I have at least gone to Eastern Division, met with at least 115 officers, and we were able to talk and share that, what I call, operation TTSA, turning the ship around.
16:25We are turning the ship around, talking to the officers, building that morale.
16:30We went to Northern North, we had 52 officers.
16:33Again, the same thing, I just came from Tobago, 113 officers, and I've been going to every division, speaking with the officers because there has been probably that missing link between the executive and the front line.
16:45But we are here to bridge that again, and again, the officers need to know that we have an executive that cares about them, and also the public needs to know that we also care in terms of the work that we do.
16:58We need to take a break, and when we take that break, we will continue with more.
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17:53Online here with this weirdo named Larry. I'm getting rid of him now.
18:07Let's take a selfie.
18:10It looking good, boy. I'm putting it online.
18:16Hey, I thought you said you went to the beach with your parents.
18:21Who's you?
18:23It's me, Larry, from online.
18:36And we are back. You can give us a call at 623-1711, extension 1992, 1993, and 1997.
19:00With us, we have DCP Junior Benjamin, and we're discussing more of the in-your-face policing and the operational side of things.
19:09Now, something happened earlier this morning. It was very sad and disturbing.
19:12Condolences to the family in the Port of Spain area in George Street, where a young teen was murdered.
19:18And I know the investigations are continuing there.
19:21But it's disturbing news to see and hear when you wake up to hear a teen being gunned down.
19:28Yeah, you know, certainly, again, condolences, as you said.
19:32This is not what you really want to hear.
19:34I think that we're working very hard in the Port of Spain area to see how we could curtail these activities.
19:40The officers, the senior superintendent there, as well as the task force and the IATF.
19:47We are there, and sometimes we just can't be everywhere.
19:51So it's so unfortunate.
19:52Nevertheless, I want to just say, because it's an active investigation, we will not be able to go into it.
19:59But I think we could clearly say for sure that it is part and parcel of the purpose of the police to see how we could go after those perpetrators and bring them to justice.
20:11And once we have the necessary facts, we are going to certainly go after them.
20:15Now, speaking of bringing persons to justice, after that bloody weekend that we had, and one in particular that stood out, there was Shakeem Charles, the TTRS driver, who was murdered.
20:29And the way in which he was murdered, it was just really ridiculous to see.
20:34Now, the investigation, where this is going, I know you can't say too much, but the perpetrators who were involved and they were arrested, can you confirm that that really happened?
20:44There were one three-person suspects in that case.
20:48Well, at this time, I would not be able to really comment much on that.
20:53I cannot say much, and I would not like to mislead anything on that.
20:58Nevertheless, I know for sure that, especially where these matters are concerned, it is dealt with by the Homicide Bureau.
21:05And we do have quality officers there that deals with these situations, and I'm certain that we will get to the bottom of most of these shortly.
21:15Yes. Now, another issue that we are faced with is the gang activities throughout Trinidad and now Tobago that we are seeing.
21:22And they name numerous gangs and numbers of gangs that we have, but is it that the TTPS is unable to deal with it?
21:32Or is it that we don't have access to understand the intelligence to deal with the crime situation?
21:41Why are we not able to deal with the gang situations in particular?
21:45Well, again, first of all, I think that we need to understand, even as we deal with gangs, it is not just going and locking up a person and saying you're part of a gang.
21:53There's a lot of things that must go into it to prove whether or not that person is part of a gang, et cetera.
21:59The intelligence, we have officers working on that.
22:04What I could say, however, is that we constantly, and when you hear in-your-face policing, it's so important to understand that is not meant for the public.
22:16We're not in-your-face in the public. We are there to serve the public.
22:20We are in-your-face for the perpetrators, for those priority offenders, those who want to create mayhem.
22:28They're going to be in-your-face because we are saying that where we have what we call gang leaders and gang members,
22:36we are going to ensure that once we have the necessary information that we are going to plan activities with two aims.
22:46One, it is to disrupt the activities of those gangs, and secondly, to dismantle and more or less to pull down the operations as well.
22:56That's our purpose as the police service, and we're not going to lose focus.
23:01Are you getting headway with it?
23:03Certainly. We are seeing some small wins that we are celebrating, and we are not going to be overexcited about it,
23:12but we're going to continue to push and to push strongly so that we can, at the end, see a great breakthrough eventually.
23:19We have a call on the line. Let's take that call. Hello. Good evening.
23:22Are you with me?
23:24Good evening.
23:26How are you? Good evening.
23:28Good evening, sir.
23:30I want to direct this to Mr. Benjamin.
23:34Mr. Benjamin, I laugh when I saw the initiative, because I'm an ex-boy blue,
23:43and I'm watching the initiative where you have the roadblocks and the stuff on search,
23:48but are you all initiating other things like doing a raise in those other areas you call it, hotspots and stuff?
23:58Because why I said I laugh, because I have made this comment since last year on Facebook and YouTube and all kinds of things,
24:05and that's why I'm watching and smiling, because I say, well, this is a good initiative,
24:10but if you have done that a long time ago, over a year, you might have reached some truth, you know?
24:18Thank you.
24:20Yes, and the thing is that this is part of our overall arrangement and strategy.
24:26It's not just about going out there and doing roadblocks.
24:31We are doing things even with greater intensity.
24:35With those roadblocks, you're going to see where we have what we call DUI.
24:42We're going to have the dogs there to check for firearms.
24:46You're going to be seeing quite a lot of different things.
24:50We are looking for warrants, persons with outstanding warrants and different things.
24:54So therefore, it is not just the normal roadblock to create problems.
24:58We are seeking, again, to look at situations where we are able to bring perpetrators to justice
25:06and also see how we can reduce the crime situation by getting firearms off the streets.
25:11So again, I think it is a little bit more than the norm,
25:14but again, we believe if we constantly do the right thing,
25:19as one person said, success is small things done correctly, consistently,
25:24we believe that eventually it's going to yield to bigger things.
25:27Now, what do you say to the people who believe that these type of exercises are not really catching the real criminals?
25:32Well, again, just the fact that we are dismantling certain things.
25:37If you could get seven firearms off the street in 24 hours, certainly it means that the strategy is working.
25:42I am saying if we continue to understand what we are doing,
25:47I think that slowly things will get back into an order
25:52because, again, we will understand that the police is out.
25:55There are different types of patrols.
25:58We are going to be seeing the different forms.
26:02You're going to see the random patrol where you don't know when we're showing up
26:05and we're moving from here to there.
26:07You're going to see what we call the active directive patrol,
26:10if you want to call it, or even the proactive patrols,
26:13whether you want to name it,
26:15where we allow the statistics to show us the hotspot, hot areas, hot time,
26:20and we look at the temporal and the spatial analysis to guide us.
26:24Whatever we're using, we are saying it is always to a particular end,
26:29which is to ensure the reduction of crime
26:32and, again, to bring about safety and security of our citizens.
26:37Now, we can't be there to witness some of the things you all do at all times,
26:43the same way you can't see what the criminals are doing beforehand to apprehend them.
26:47But what it is, when it comes to the warrants
26:51and working with the courts and getting the warrants needed
26:54to go in some of these areas to execute your exercises,
27:00are you getting, well, I don't want to say pushback,
27:02but are you getting the assistance needed to get warrants delivered quickly
27:07for you to execute some of these exercises?
27:10Well, again, the warrants, you know, it has changed now,
27:14and where it is now where the warrants is given to the police,
27:17it is sent, and we have to print them, et cetera.
27:20Again, having worked in the court and process branch,
27:24sometimes, and we want to encourage persons,
27:26whenever there is a need for a warrant,
27:29it's important that the address is clear.
27:32Sometimes, you just get, you know what I'm saying?
27:34I'm just using, I think, Henry Street, Port of Spain.
27:37Where in Henry Street?
27:39Exactly, so you need to be more specific.
27:41Sometimes, these are some of the problems we have
27:43where the address are vague and so on.
27:46It creates that kind of problem.
27:48Quick question, in a warrant, they give description of, let's say,
27:51the building or the person that you have to apprehend,
27:55or a space you have to enter?
27:56Well, you will have the name of the person,
27:59you will have the address, and so forth,
28:01and based on those things, the warrant officer
28:04would be able to go and to, you know,
28:06at least to know exactly where the building is, et cetera.
28:09But if it is vague, then it could be anywhere, you know?
28:12So, we are just saying that those could be
28:14some of the challenges that a person might face,
28:17again, apart from the other minor things that, again,
28:20as a police service, we are working on.
28:22At the end of the day, we believe that the warrant section
28:24is important in our fight against crime,
28:27and we will continue to work with the court and process,
28:31and even all the warrant officers,
28:33to ensure that they are part and parcel of the team,
28:36because they are critical, even as we seek to deal with
28:39persons going on the port, and going to Tobago, and so on.
28:43It is important that the warrant section be there,
28:46because a lot of persons, after they do their stuff,
28:49either from Tobago, they run back to Trinidad or run across,
28:51and we even have it, you know, either way.
28:54So, they play a very critical role in us
28:57being able to arrest the situation.
29:00And quickly as possible, which we want to see happening.
29:02We need to take a break. We will be back.
29:21Thank you.
29:52Slavery. A terrible time in our history.
29:56The kidnapping, buying and selling of people for profit.
30:00The exploitation of another human being.
30:03It still exists today.
30:05It has a new name.
30:07Human trafficking.
30:09Anyone can be a victim.
30:11There is forced labor.
30:13Sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.
30:17Human trafficking is a worldwide problem
30:20and an emerging concern for us here in Trinidad and Tobago.
30:24If you know of or suspect human trafficking activity,
30:28call the Counter-Trafficking Hotline at 800-4CTU or 800-4288.
30:35Human trafficking is a crime.
30:38Identify it. Report it. Stop it.
30:41A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit of Trinidad and Tobago.
30:44Stop it.
30:46A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit of the Ministry of National Security.
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31:44And we are back and you can call us at 623-1711 extension 1992, 1993 and 1997.
31:52DCP Junior Benjamin, this is a situation where we have seen time and time again
31:57where individuals may have a criminal past or history or still committing, you know,
32:03or being involved in a criminal lifestyle.
32:06And they moved from one area and they now reside in another.
32:09What would you tell these citizens who may not know these individuals
32:12or individuals and they're moving into their area, what could they do?
32:16And they don't know about their past, but it's someone new
32:19and they're seeing strange activities happening, strange people coming into the area.
32:23What should that person do?
32:25Well, first of all, I want to encourage what we call neighborhood watch groups.
32:31If you can formulate a neighborhood watch group, it is important that, you know,
32:36every community and the commissioner says it, that you have to take back your community
32:40as you come together on the same street, look out for each other.
32:45You know, that would help because as you come, what is happening,
32:49once you have that situation, you can call in the police in your various station district.
32:56They could come and they could share.
32:58You can go to your nearest station, you can share your observation.
33:02And again, based on that, they can also share with you any information.
33:06If you know the name of the individual and so forth,
33:10they probably can share any information that they have,
33:14because it could be that that person might be a wanted individual, et cetera.
33:18So it is important that you take time to speak with your, you know,
33:24your police officers in your station district.
33:27And even when that doesn't work, I'm saying we have the community policing section
33:31and these spaces that, again, is able to give you that warm welcome
33:36so that you can be able to share that information.
33:39Well, it should work. It shouldn't be. It shouldn't work.
33:41It should work now with what you all are doing.
33:43Yeah, we have a call on the line. Let's take that call.
33:46Hello. Good evening.
33:49Good evening to everyone.
33:52Good evening.
33:54Concerning the recent occurrence,
33:58officer asked for help.
34:00Citizen didn't comply.
34:03Man arrested.
34:05My curiosity is that,
34:08is there insurance policy
34:12in these systems?
34:14If a citizen has been asked,
34:16to request the help to help get somebody,
34:20and that person gets injured,
34:21the citizen gets injured,
34:23in some kind of way.
34:25Is there insurance policy within the system
34:28to cover that injury?
34:31Now, I don't know how long this law
34:34was enacted.
34:36But I suppose there was a lot of police arresting,
34:39I don't know, 40 or something.
34:41Now people
34:44congregated in numbers,
34:47like sixes and sevens.
34:49You help the police arrest
34:51a six or a seven.
34:53So where is your system now?
34:55As just an ordinary citizen,
34:57you want to come, you want to barge in.
34:59Are we going to see the outcome of the
35:02court case?
35:04You all have a place to go.
35:06Thank you.
35:08Mr. P.
35:10First of all, let me just say this.
35:13On a normal,
35:15I mean average,
35:17the police will not really
35:19take a civilian and put them in harm's way.
35:22That is not the intent of the law.
35:25Because it's so important to understand,
35:27once there's a law,
35:29a law is there to solve a mischief.
35:32And you need to understand the mischief that is there.
35:35If a police needs assistance
35:37to, again, apprehend an individual,
35:40for one reason,
35:42they can, again, ask someone to assist them.
35:44But it is not, okay,
35:46guns firing and say,
35:47okay, I want you to come and help me.
35:49It is, I mean,
35:51everything must be taken within its context, I believe.
35:54And even as an attorney myself,
35:56I am saying that I think sometimes
35:58we can extend this thing beyond what really
36:01it was intended to.
36:03But nevertheless, it is a part of the law.
36:06And I think that, again,
36:08as we continue to examine the case,
36:11this is something that, again,
36:13because it is a matter of the courts right now,
36:15we should not even go into it.
36:17We need to allow the courts to deal with it.
36:20We'll see the outcome.
36:22Yeah, very disappointing, though.
36:24We have another call on the line.
36:26Let's take that call.
36:28Good afternoon, Whitney.
36:30Good afternoon, sir.
36:32And a very good afternoon to DCP Benjamin.
36:34DCP, I want to ask you a direct question.
36:38A year or so ago,
36:40all senior officers
36:42was in a meeting at Napa with the prime minister.
36:46And at the same time,
36:48there was a shootout in Brazil.
36:50I have not heard anything out of that issue
36:55because you had the hierarchy of the police,
36:58all the action men there.
37:00And you heard a big shootout in Brazil
37:02next to the school.
37:04And the TDPS has not come back to me as a citizen
37:07to tell me what was the end result of that shooting
37:10and if anybody was caught.
37:13And that is,
37:15my sentiment is similar to what I've seen going on.
37:18Again, more boots on the ground.
37:20You gave us an update
37:22and you think it's very, very good.
37:24Six.
37:26I said, all right, so blah, blah, blah, blah.
37:28I don't see that as good.
37:30I see that as pathetic.
37:32I want to ask you another searching question.
37:34Did the police conduct any search on any maxi-taxi?
37:39Any PTSE bus?
37:43Because you cannot isolate those people
37:46and let them move free.
37:48You can't say, for example,
37:50the gun runners only using cars.
37:52And the last quick thing,
37:54the police arrested a maxi-taxi driver
37:59for not assisting the police.
38:01I want to ask you directly,
38:04if I call the police
38:06and they haven't come to my altar,
38:08who am I?
38:10I have to turn to arrest the police
38:12for not coming to assist me in my need.
38:15I'm going to have a nice evening.
38:17Thank you, sir.
38:19All right.
38:21Well, first, in terms of the shooting,
38:25I cannot tell you exactly
38:27in terms of that particular event
38:29exactly what was the outcome of it,
38:32but I am certain that
38:34based on situations,
38:36we are looking into nearly all areas of shooting
38:41because it is of great concern.
38:43When we see these things happening,
38:45we recognize it is breeding a level of fear
38:48in our citizens,
38:50and therefore we are taking a no-nonsense approach,
38:53a zero-tolerance to that,
38:55and what you see now is really
38:57the police really seeking to stand up
39:02and say enough is enough.
39:03All right?
39:05Also, to deal with the whole idea of the gentleman,
39:10we just discussed that
39:12because that matter is presently before the court,
39:14we would not want to go into anything
39:17where that is concerned,
39:19but if you could arrest the police,
39:21again, I think that is important
39:23that we don't confuse one with the next.
39:27All right?
39:29The police, we are here to serve,
39:30and as you make that report,
39:32we are under an obligation
39:34to take your report,
39:36investigate your report,
39:38and if you are listening to me carefully,
39:41you will hear me talk about the fact
39:43that what we want to do now,
39:46and we want to ensure
39:48that it is part of the culture of the police
39:51is where we ensure that there is feedback.
39:53A person, when you come,
39:55must be given feedback.
39:57We want to ensure quick response,
39:58so therefore what we are seeking to do
40:00is to develop these areas
40:02within the police armory
40:04so that, once again,
40:06we can build that level of trust
40:09within the police
40:11and take away the fear.
40:13All right?
40:15So the police service, again,
40:17we are constantly growing.
40:19We are looking at our strategies.
40:21We are measuring them,
40:23and we are making the necessary modification
40:25by taking the time
40:26to meet with your officers.
40:28As I said, I'm meeting with my officers,
40:30and we are really having buy-in,
40:32and for that, I want to thank the officers,
40:34and by extension,
40:36we want to encourage the citizens
40:38to continue to work with us,
40:40and let's see how we can ensure
40:42that we have a better T&T.
40:44We take a break.
40:46We'll be back.
40:57Go, son-a!
40:59A come in!
41:01A dog give me no attitude, eh?
41:03You have shared no manners, boy.
41:05Hm.
41:07I wish I had your touch, boy.
41:09You have to groom them.
41:11First, you have to target them.
41:13Scope them out.
41:15Scope them out.
41:17Scope them out.
41:19Scope them out.
41:21Scope them out.
41:23Scope them out.
41:24Scope them.
41:26Scope them out.
41:28See if they have low self-esteem,
41:30family problems, you know?
41:32Then you move in and gain their trust.
41:34After that, you fill a need.
41:36Some of them like nice things,
41:38like fancy phones,
41:40hairdos, clothes, food.
41:42They have ones who are only looking
41:44for somebody to care and listen
41:46to their problems.
41:48You feel me?
41:50What's important, though,
41:52you have to isolate them
41:54because it's all about you
41:56and them.
41:58Then you'll get through.
42:00Nice, nice.
42:02Look who I'm writing.
42:04Try it now.
42:12A message from the Counter-Trafficking Unit
42:15of the Ministry of National Security.
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43:39And we are back.
43:41We have a call on hold.
43:43Let's take that call.
43:45Hello. Good evening.
43:47Good evening.
43:49Sir and Madam,
43:51I am just asking this question.
43:54If a warrant is being executed
43:57in the wrong room,
43:59who is responsible for it?
44:01Who is responsible for it?
44:03Who is responsible for it?
44:05Who is responsible for it?
44:06If a warrant is being executed
44:08in the wrong residence
44:10and the officers would have caused
44:14damage to items in the wrong residence,
44:20how does a person get redressed on that matter?
44:26Thank you.
44:28Thank you.
44:30All right.
44:32Just probably to answer that question,
44:34it's really unfortunate.
44:36But again, you have different places.
44:38You have the ombudsman.
44:40You have different places that you can write
44:42and state your claim to.
44:44All right.
44:46If you believe that for some reason
44:48things like that has happened to you
44:51and you believe that you need to be redressed,
44:56you can also, from a civil standpoint,
45:00if you believe that something has been done
45:03because of what the police did was in error
45:07and it caused you from a civil,
45:09you get your attorney to file
45:11and again, you can claim from a civil standpoint as well.
45:14That's a long process, right?
45:16Yes.
45:18But again, when you want that compensation,
45:20it is there.
45:22But again, it's important to understand
45:24what is there for you as an individual
45:26because you must be treated fairly.
45:29So it's important to understand.
45:31I just want to probably address
45:33one more thing.
45:35It's only after I recognize
45:37what the formal caller was talking about
45:40in terms of that Russell incident.
45:43And I can tell you for sure
45:46that our corporate cum section,
45:50they actually gave some releases
45:53on exactly what was happening.
45:56And I want to just say to those that are listening,
45:59the police service,
46:00sometimes even though we might not come on air and speak,
46:05we send it through the corporate communication unit
46:09and we communicate these things on the papers.
46:12We also have what we call our media ambassadors
46:17that would sometimes address some of the issues at times.
46:21So I'm just saying there are different ways
46:23in which we might communicate it,
46:25so it's important to look out for it.
46:27Let me also say in that said situation,
46:28we had a victim and witness support
46:30and they were able to go into the school
46:32and to help in that way.
46:34So the police,
46:36we constantly seek to do a holistic approach,
46:39not just looking at it in terms of persons who die,
46:43but we also try to see how we can lend support
46:46to bringing people back
46:48even when they might be broken.
46:50Now speaking of lending support
46:52and getting the support needed,
46:54the TTPS with the armed forces
46:56that we have in Trinidad and Tobago
46:58to the defense, to the Coast Guard, Air Guard,
47:02what is happening there?
47:04Because those areas and spaces that I just mentioned
47:08that they have to defend
47:10are where some of the drugs, the guns,
47:13even some of the said criminals are coming through
47:16and they're coming on our land.
47:18So how are you all treating with that?
47:21Well, I think that we are seeking
47:24to have a multi-pronged approach
47:26in terms of dealing with that.
47:28First of all,
47:30we are using a multi-agency approach
47:33where we are using the defense force to join us
47:36even as we seek to protect the land space
47:39and we are out there working with them.
47:42Again, the Coast Guard,
47:44they would also assist in any way possible
47:47once they have vessels,
47:49they would seek to assist us.
47:51But again,
47:53we continue to look at all the different areas
47:56and we work with all the different agencies
47:59so that we can seek to tighten those spaces
48:02because again,
48:04in order for the drugs to come in,
48:06in order for the guns to come in,
48:08it has to come from some of these areas.
48:10So we have to constantly work together
48:13with these agencies
48:15to ensure that safety and security.
48:17But it's an ongoing process
48:19and again, as we continue to work together,
48:21I think it's going to probably get tighter and tighter
48:23as we continue to ensure that we create a safe space.
48:27I forgot the port.
48:29How is the police presence there?
48:31Well, again, as I said,
48:33the police presence is so important
48:35because ever so often we would go down,
48:37we would have our exercises.
48:39In Tobago in particular,
48:41we have regular exercises
48:43from persons coming out of the port.
48:45So I'm saying very soon from information received,
48:47they are going to have a scanner in Tobago
48:49for the vehicles.
48:51That is going to help us tremendously.
48:53We have a lot of things on the horizon.
48:55So there's light at the end of the tunnel.
48:57But while we still wait,
48:59we continue to use what is available to us
49:01by ensuring that we do our regular patrols there.
49:05We ensure that we do our stop and searches.
49:07And again, we are even engaging now
49:10to see if we can get additional information
49:14concerning persons that are traveling
49:16so that we can again be able to target persons
49:19who we believe might be prolific offenders.
49:23Are we able to have proper sting operations
49:26in Trinidad and Tobago?
49:28When I say sting,
49:30that's the word that people hear on movies
49:32that you put an unmarked officer
49:36who is not known as an officer in spaces
49:40to blend in and gather information
49:43to get the intelligence
49:45to then give to the TTPS
49:47so you all could penetrate.
49:49Do we have things like that happening
49:51that could really assist?
49:53Because Trinidad and Tobago is extremely small.
49:55So most of the times,
49:57persons will know if you're a police officer
49:59or maybe not.
50:01Because we have great MACOs in this country.
50:03Convenient MACOs, I call them.
50:05Because they see things they want to see.
50:07But how are we treating with that
50:09the persons who are undercover then?
50:11And that's the thing.
50:13Because they are undercover,
50:15there's not much I would like to see on that issue.
50:17But what I can see is that
50:19the intelligence unit,
50:20all the necessary skill sets
50:22that we have to deal with it,
50:24we ensure that,
50:26and again,
50:28it's not just about having persons undercover.
50:30That might be one way.
50:32You might have different persons.
50:34How you deal with people
50:36as well is very critical
50:38to getting information.
50:40What we are doing is making all officers
50:42intelligence officers
50:44as you go out there and you talk with people,
50:46people are going to trust you
50:48and they're going to share that information.
50:50We do not betray the trust of the people
50:52because that is critical
50:54if we want to continue to build this.
50:56We need to take that break.
50:58When we come back, we'll wrap things up.
51:21Thank you, members of the media.
51:23This concludes our weekly press briefing.
51:27As the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
51:30continues to protect
51:32and serve with pride,
51:34we are calling on all citizens
51:36of Trinidad and Tobago
51:38to get on board with us
51:40to ensure that everyone is able
51:42to live
51:44in a crime-free society.
51:46Are you on board?
51:50This is my country
51:52and I am on board.
51:54I am on board
51:56with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
51:58Let us save the youth of the nation.
52:00Get on board.
52:02Crime affects all of us.
52:04Children, communities,
52:06and the country as a whole.
52:08Supporting crime victims
52:10and working with the police service,
52:12I am on board.
52:14This is my country
52:16and I am on board.
52:18My name is Nikolai Blackmon
52:20and Vision On Mission
52:22is proud to partner
52:24with the TTPS
52:26because crime prevention
52:28is everybody's business.
52:30We are the National Congress
52:32of Incorporated Spiritual Baptist Organizations
52:34of Trinidad and Tobago
52:36and we are on board with the TTPS
52:38in its fight against crime.
52:40I am a farmer.
52:42This is my country
52:44and I am on board.
52:46I am Charles Jason Gordon,
52:48the Roman Catholic Archbishop
52:50of Trinidad and Tobago.
52:52We are all on board.
53:20This is my country
53:22and I am on board.
53:50Fantastic Pendulum,
53:52Jugglers, Acrobats,
53:54The Always Funny Clown
53:56in collaboration with Dairy Dairy,
53:58Pizza Hut, Coca-Cola,
54:00Dasani, Extra Food Supermarkets,
54:02Malta, Kaleidoscope Paint,
54:04Carib Malta, and media partner
54:06Guardian Media Limited.
54:08Swiss Flowers Brothers Circus
54:10will now open on Friday, 19th July
54:12at the Queen's Park Savannah.
54:14A la nos vemos!
54:21And we are back.
54:23This is our final segment.
54:25Before we go,
54:27when you have these strategies
54:29and crime plans that you all sit
54:31and discuss and put to be implemented
54:33and we see it now on social media
54:35because some officer decides
54:37to send it out in a blast or broadcast,
54:39how are you all treating that?
54:41The reality is,
54:43it's really sad to know
54:45that we have those situations
54:47but again, even in the
54:48crime prevention plan,
54:50there's an area
54:52that deals with zero tolerance
54:54in terms of indiscipline and corruption
54:56and that is exactly what we are saying.
54:58We are saying we are taking
55:00a no-nonsense approach
55:02even to officers who want to find
55:04themselves on the other side of the law.
55:06We are going to take you down,
55:08we are going to ensure
55:10that we give disciplinary actions
55:12and we are saying that,
55:14if it's possible,
55:16more severe penalties
55:18but certainly,
55:20we are saying that transparency,
55:22integrity and accountability
55:24must be the way forward
55:26even as we deal with matters of that nature.
55:28Lead some words to the public
55:30before we exit for the weekend
55:32and what you all are doing.
55:34As we go forward for this week,
55:36I want you to,
55:38first of all,
55:40don't go with fear.
55:42Understand that the police,
55:44we are out there,
55:46we are going to be there
55:48to give you this visibility
55:50to let you know that
55:52Trinidad and Tobago is a safe place.
55:54I want to encourage you,
55:56if you know anything
55:58about any one of the murders,
56:00any other situations,
56:02we want you to come and talk with us.
56:04If you see something, say something
56:06and the reason for that
56:08is because crime is everybody's business.
56:10We want you to know that
56:12we are here to serve you
56:14and therefore,
56:15the pendulum is changing.
56:16We are here with a heart for the community
56:18and as we give you that heart,
56:20we want you to trust us
56:22that we could make this place safe.
56:24Thank you so very much.
56:26Yes, thank you so much,
56:28DCP Junior Benjamin.
56:30He is the gentleman responsible
56:32to spearheading the fight
56:34against crime in Trinidad and Tobago
56:36and let's hope we are able
56:38to see a change coming sooner than later.
56:40We appreciate you.
56:42We hope that you are safe,
56:44your entire team,
56:46make yourself an extremely hard target.
56:48Do not put yourself
56:50in unnecessary situations
56:52that you could avoid
56:54and always be aware
56:56of your surroundings.
56:58We get ready for news coming up
57:00next at 7 o'clock.
57:02Please, TNT, be safe out there,
57:04have an enjoyable one
57:06and always remember,
57:08be pure and just
57:10and have God in your life
57:12no matter what you do.
57:13Thank you.
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