00:00The TTPS is tonight reminding its officers that their instructions come from the police
00:05commissioner.
00:07The reminder comes one day after that of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association
00:12advised police officers to return to their stations if they are not allowed to enter
00:16the court with their firearms.
00:18However, in a response to TV6 Today, DCP Operations Junior Benjamin says members of the TTPS have
00:26taken an oath to maintain law and order and therefore, all officers are advised to abide
00:33by the judiciary's policy until otherwise directed.
00:36Instructions for police officers to me comes from the commissioner of police and I'm saying
00:44that at this point in time, we want to take the approach where again, each side might
00:50have their points approved but at this point in time, the police service, we have to understand
00:57that we are going to work with the courts and if this is the instructions, we want as
01:05much as possible for persons to follow the instructions as we seek to continue that level
01:11of collaboration.
01:12However, DCP Benjamin notes that all court matters and all accused are not identical
01:18so the level of risk involved will vary on a case-by-case basis and in consideration
01:24of this, the TTPS is having discussions with the judiciary towards a workable, viable and
01:30mutually beneficial solution.
01:32Meantime, former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says during his tenure, he held meetings
01:38with the judiciary and the police association on the matter and coming out of these meetings,
01:44a recommendation was adopted.
01:46What is required is simply for the commissioner of police to send a list of matters that the
01:53court will have of possible criminal elements, gang leaders, persons who may have violent
01:58conduct, inform the chief justice and based on these court matters, I am kindly asking
02:02if these police officers can be allowed to carry their firearms for these specific cases
02:06and the chief justice would approve it.
02:08This is what he did under my watch as commissioner of police and everyone was satisfied.
02:12Dialogue is what is required.
02:14Griffith further sought to explain why the judiciary has a no-firearms policy in place
02:19at the courts and says being a police officer, even on duty, does not automatically warrant
02:26an exemption.
02:27When you look at courts all over the world, you will have similar mandates and there are
02:31reasons for that.
02:32To have the present situation, it is unacceptable that every police officer can just show their
02:36ID card and enter the court.
02:38Suppose a police officer is in a personal domestic violence matter, which is why.
02:42Suppose a police officer is being cross-examined by a state attorney and that state attorney
02:48is now feeling intimidated because the police officer has a firearm.
02:51Suppose the police officer is the prosecution, why would he have a firearm?
02:55Police officers should have also no reason to enter a court if they are just going as
02:58a witness or to view a court hearing.
03:02So there are many circumstances that presently exist that allow police officers to enter
03:06with firearms that should not be so.
03:08Renassa Kating, TV6 News.
03:12For more information, visit www.FEMA.gov
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