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CCNTV6
  • 11 months ago

Forty- six people have been detained by police under the State of Emergency regulations.

They can remain in police custody for 48 hours and upon the apporval of a sitting magistrate, for a further seven days.

Transcript
00:00Police Commissioner Erla Hairwood-Christopher says that since the
00:04proclamation of the state of emergency just over 24 hours ago, the DTPS has been
00:10hard at work to ensure public safety.
00:13With the additional powers that is now available through the state of emergency,
00:21this will empower us to utilize our intelligence to launch very invasive
00:30policing operations targeting known and prolific offenders, particularly those
00:37involved with illegal drugs, firearms, and ammunition, and the commission of
00:44violent crimes including kidnapping, home invasions, and homicides.
00:51At a media briefing held earlier this afternoon, she said 46 persons were
00:57detained during the SOE period.
01:00The events of the past week are well known to all of us and should generate a serious cause for concern for all
01:10right-thinking persons in the national community. That situation, according to
01:20our intelligence, had the potential to escalate into a grossly undesirable
01:27threat to public safety that Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will not condone.
01:34Hairwood-Christopher says police officers would be measured in their actions so as
01:39not to illegitimately use their power. And what of criminals posing as police
01:45officers seeking to also use these newfound powers?
01:49Yes, police officers are still required to identify themselves.
01:53But what I want to inform the public, police officers on exercises and operations,
02:02you will have officers dressed in police uniform, grey and blue.
02:09So even if you have officers in the operational wear, they will always be accompanied
02:16by an officer in the official grey and blue uniform.
02:20The top cop says the public will be inconvenienced at times, but she asks
02:25citizens to be cooperative for the better good of the country.
02:29The criminals have had innocent citizens literally under the gun for too long.
02:35And this finally is perhaps our best opportunity to have them on the run.
02:43Let's work together to give ourselves the best opportunity to reclaim our communities
02:50and restore some level of peace and safety.
02:54Under the new regulations, police can enter premises without a warrant
02:58to search for high-powered weapons or any item that can affect public safety.
03:03There is a 24-hour window for detention and an additional seven days maximum
03:09can be added once assessed by a sitting magistrate.
03:13The top cop stresses the TTPS's commitment to returning the nation
03:17to a state of safety and security.
03:20We are in serious times. There is serious work to be done.
03:25And we have serious days ahead.
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