- 11 months ago
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00This program contains graphic scenes, viewer discussion is advised.
00:30Beyond the tape, we'll be back after these messages.
00:50Things don't always go as expected.
00:52Be ready with TrinRi for auto, home, business and group life.
00:57Call us at 800-TRIN or visit TrinRi.com today.
01:00Huge insurance premium, pay your premiums bit by bit with FlexiPay from TrinRi for more
01:06manageable auto, home and commercial insurance payments.
01:09Call us at 800-TRIN or visit TrinRi.com today.
01:13TrinRi, premier insurance coverage for less.
01:17Are you struggling with chronic back pain, dealing with a slipped disc or sciatica?
01:23Let outdated ideas about surgery hold you back thanks to cutting edge, minimally invasive
01:29techniques causing less pain, lower risk and a faster return to your life.
01:35The community hospital is happy to announce that we are the first hospital in the region
01:41to perform minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.
01:45Call us now to discover your options at 622-1191.
01:50Community hospital of Seventh Day Adventist, where good private healthcare is affordable.
02:00Do it all for less with Green Dot.
02:03With our reliable and expansive network, we deliver internet connectivity to a wide range
02:08of communities in Trinidad.
02:10Stream your favorite shows, enjoy online tuition, stay in touch with your work team and connect
02:15with friends and family with internet service at a price you can afford.
02:19Wherever you are, you can do it all for less.
02:22Call 224-GDOT or visit GD.TT today.
02:26Green Dot, improving and simplifying lives.
02:33I can dance.
02:34I can sing.
02:37I can speak.
02:39I have ideas.
02:41I can debate.
02:43I can reason.
02:45I can write.
02:47I can draw.
02:48I can paint.
02:51I can protest.
02:53I can stand up for my rights.
02:55And I can enjoy my rights.
02:59I have the right to express myself.
03:04Children have rights.
03:13Welcome, Trinidad and Tobago, to Beyond the Tape.
03:34I'm your host, Marc Besant.
03:36Of course, it's day 17 of the state of emergency, and we're also smack in the middle of the
03:43week.
03:44And you know what that means.
03:45It's, legally speaking, Wednesdays.
03:48And with us today is a tenured law attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
03:53Corporal Zaheer Ali.
03:54Welcome, sir.
03:55Good evening to you, Marc.
03:56Good evening to Trinidad and Tobago.
03:59Good evening to our colleagues on Beyond the Tape, those who are responsible behind the
04:04scenes, Jackie and others.
04:07To my law enforcement colleagues, you know, TDPS, Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, and
04:13you know, I'm extended to the municipal police and the supplemental police.
04:18And generally speaking, you know, to all office holders, you know, good evening to you.
04:22Marc, I want to just immediately indicate to Trinidad and Tobago, not only as a reminder
04:26that we're in a public, a state of public emergency, and there's emergency powers regulations
04:322024 that, you know, and it's amendments that currently exist.
04:36You know, I want to firmly call on all office holders in Trinidad and Tobago, you know,
04:40to, you know, hold your oath of office firmly.
04:43And, you know, there's a importance in that, you know, when you look at the present construct,
04:50you know, there are many, many important relevant stakeholders to ensure that we restore public
04:59safety and security as, you know, quick as possible.
05:02And I'll also extend it to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, that not because we have
05:06a legal framework in place, that their role and responsibility is of critical importance
05:12to ensure that the emergency powers regulations are successful.
05:17So I just want to, you know, indicate and open that this afternoon, and I want to, you
05:19know, continue to urge every single citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to continue to appreciate
05:27the period that we're in.
05:28I don't want us to lose sight that we are in a serious period.
05:33It's a period, yes, we are exercising our freedom, our rights, but I want us to appreciate
05:39that we have a mammoth task at hand, and it's important for us to approach that task with
05:47all due diligence and with the level of professionalism that we require.
05:50So I just thank you for allowing me to make those introductory remarks.
05:53And as you speak of the level of professionalism, and, you know, there was a video yesterday
05:59allegedly shown where police officers went to the compound of a police officer, and he
06:05felt, I guess, in some way slighted or indignant that they were coming to conduct some type
06:13of search on his premises.
06:15And of course, as DCP Benjamin pointed out, and I'm sure you would also, in terms of a
06:20legal perspective, let everybody know that, you know, once there is information in this
06:25particular time and state of emergency, whether you are the commissioner of police or police
06:33officer or customs officer, if they have belief that you have something that is illicit, they
06:38are entitled to come and search your premises.
06:41Well, Mark, you know, whilst that particular matter that you're referring to may be subject
06:46to, you know, some level of inquiry to ensure that, you know, there is fairness to all parties
06:52in the process, you know, I want to make a general comment, and we made it on the last
06:57occasion, and, you know, I thank you for engaging me on the last occasion to emphasize that
07:02notwithstanding that we are in a period of state of emergency and there's emergency regulations
07:07that currently exist, there may be rights that may be impacted.
07:12But equally important, there are rights that are also very much well intact, and I'm asking
07:18law enforcement, and hence why I use the word to be professional in our approach, to recognize
07:23that while we are exercising the powers, we must ensure that the built-in due process,
07:28the protection measures, or the constitutional rights and legal privileges that are presently
07:34intact, that we observe those privileges and legal rights and constitutional rights to
07:39ensure that there is fairness in the execution of our duties.
07:43So I wouldn't say more because it may be subject to an inquiry, but I just want to make a general
07:47statement to ensure that we are guided properly both from the law enforcement agency context
07:53and for the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago to also appreciate that I'm speaking publicly
07:58to if the law enforcement officers are not aware, I am actually doing it publicly here
08:03that they must be aware that the level of professionalism is required, or required as
08:08the case may be.
08:09Thank you very much for raising that issue again.
08:11Exactly.
08:12So we want to go into the figures for the state of emergency, the 17-hour updates, and
08:18I would let Corporal Alley walk us through.
08:22Well, the number of operations, you know, based on what has been provided by the Trinidad
08:27and Tobago Police Service, 868 operations.
08:30Target priority offenders, 855.
08:33Searches conducted, 4,962.
08:36Traffic operations, 713, and I know, Mark, you'll have something to say about those traffic
08:39stops in a short while.
08:40Yes, definitely.
08:41In a while.
08:42And the total persons arrested, 659.
08:44So this is a, may I continue, traffic offenses detected, 2,055.
08:50Firearms recovered, 37.
08:53Ammunition recovered, 1,053 assorted ammunition and dangerous drugs seized, 127,810.46 grams
09:04off.
09:05And I see they have marijuana, but I want to use the proper term on public television.
09:08Cannabis.
09:09Cannabis.
09:10That's where the law is concerned.
09:11And also, 607.79 grams of cocaine.
09:14Alright, so certainly the police officers are keeping busy and they are executing a
09:21number of operations, whether it be high-intensity, low-intensity, or medium, because as you say,
09:29we will obviously have a discussion about what you may consider very routine and a very
09:34customary road check.
09:36We will get into details of that later, but we are going to go to our headlines now.
10:04So, those were the headlines within the last 24 hours, of course, you know, a potpourri
10:13of things there.
10:14But the last stands out as we speak about this road exercise that was being conducted
10:23by officers of the Highway Patrol, and we really want to tip our hats off to you this
10:28afternoon.
10:29In the Shogones area, and apparently about 4.15 along the southbound lane of the Uriah-Butler
10:35Highway, during checks for tints, they had reason to stop a Volkswagen Passat.
10:42Yes.
10:43It was heavily tinted, and the drivers and the passengers, they said, started to act
10:50a bit suspiciously.
10:51You're seeing the Passat here.
10:53Yes.
10:54You're seeing the suspects in the routine exercise, traffic exercise, being detained,
11:04and they found packets of compressed cannabis with a total weight of 11.76 kilograms, an
11:13estimated street value of the illegal narcotics of $1.76 million.
11:22Good work by the exercise, coordinated by Senior Superintendent Garvin Simon and Assistant
11:28Superintendent Ramparta, and the other officers from the Traffic Highway Patrol.
11:34We want to really, seeing the packets there, and obviously, if we look closely corporally,
11:42those packets are marked with specific name, you know, there's red saying Taka, and then
11:49there's another yellow labelling on the grey packet, so obviously, as you see here, you
11:54know where, probably perhaps it's two different persons or organizations that this is going
12:01to be delivered to.
12:02Well, Mark, let me indicate immediately, and you have impressed me this afternoon, and
12:08I probably will be given very serious consideration to, you know, looking at you with your experience
12:12and your knowledge, you know, exercising some level of expertise, you know, so let me share
12:16that with you.
12:17But, you know, I want to join with you to, you know, acknowledge the work of the police
12:22officers in this particular detection, and I want to make a point or a statement coming
12:27out of this.
12:28Mark, I've always spoken about engagement, and while the report indicates that it may
12:34have been an issue involving tint that may have caused some level of suspicion on an
12:40interception on a search of that particular vehicle, you know, the findings is apparent
12:45and obvious to members of the public, but again, it goes to show that notwithstanding
12:50that you may have specialist units or highly operational units, highly investigative units,
12:56the traffic police, the police officers who are on the road on a daily basis, this is
13:00the area that high-powered rifles, firearms, kidnap victims, and in this case, dangerous
13:07drugs that, may I say, also impact public safety and security, because, you know, just
13:12to expand on it a little bit for those who are listening, while it may not be firearm
13:15and ammunition or explosive, look at the value that is associated with this particular conveyance.
13:22So could you imagine, Mark, that other persons who are aware, and I'm speaking about the
13:26criminal element, could you imagine that they see an opportunity for a takedown to be able
13:31to take these drugs and whatever may be with those elements, and you have a conflict taking
13:39place.
13:40Not because it is a dangerous drug, it has associated with it, in my respectful view,
13:46public safety issues, public order issues, and the value, you know, explains it all.
13:51So again, good work to the police officers there, and I want them to continue respectfully,
13:56to continue to engage persons on the nation road, so that, you know, the sophisticated
14:03operational units and investigative units are supported by the movement along the nation's
14:09road, and we have spoken about that, and Mark, may I say as well, I know that further inquiries
14:14will be conducted, so yes, looking at the drugs, but I'm certain that even where the
14:18vehicle is concerned, and the occupant, that more detail and further inquiry will be conducted,
14:23and also in terms of the markings that you make mention of, very significant as we move
14:28forward in the inquiry.
14:29So I want to thank you very much for sharing this.
14:31Yes, certainly, and you know, this issue of tint, I'm seeing a lot of vehicles on the
14:35roads, heavily tinted, even the front windscreens, and obviously, you have to apply for tint
14:43exemption, and you have to go through proper protocols, of course, and you have to justify
14:48it, and there will be people who will try to justify it, under false pretenses, so they'll
14:52have to also look at that, you know, going forward, because some people will say they
14:56have a medical condition when they don't, or they will get a doctor to, so these are
15:00just some of the scenarios.
15:02So we just want to encourage you, motor, in public, that if your vehicles are not given
15:08an exemption, you cannot tint it a specific degree of darkness, and you will be pulled
15:14over by licensing officers, and police officers who also are now equipped with the relevant
15:20device, to check those windows.
15:25And again, Mark, thank you very much for bringing that, in terms of looking at that comprehensive
15:30inquiry that will be conducted, in relation to that matter, so, you know, you have spoken
15:34about it, so there's no need to go there, and I'll just close by saying, again, Mark,
15:38in terms of the emergency regulation powers, the Section 9, which speaks to stop and search
15:44of vehicle and persons, is of importance, with reference to this particular period that
15:50we're in, because, as I said before, persons will be using opportunity to be concealing,
15:55to be moving firearms, ammunition, explosives, and in this case, dangerous drugs.
16:00Yes, definitely, and on a different note, of course, we registered our 14th homicide
16:06last night, or it could be 15, I will have to double-check that.
16:12The victim was 35-year-old Darren Francis, a doubles vendor from Carapo, apparently around,
16:21I think it was just before 9 o'clock or 8 o'clock last night, he was at his house with
16:26a friend, liming, on Racecourse Road, in Carapo, when two masked men approached them, one holding
16:35a piece of iron, and struck him across his face.
16:40Now, Mr. Francis apparently ran, and he was pursued by his attackers, who continued to
16:46beat him, and then, I understand, they also lit his car afire a short distance away, and
16:53they escaped.
16:55People responded, the police, and they found Mr. Francis lying motionless, a short distance
17:00away from his home, apparently already, he died, and, you know, he is, there was a lot
17:11of wounds to his head, so, you know, certainly there has to be some kind of, I'm guessing,
17:17some kind of disagreement, he might have taken this at some juncture, or he would have sent
17:22something to somebody, or, I mean, there's a number of scenarios.
17:25Well, I don't want to attribute a motive as yet, Mark, but, you know, I just want to,
17:30you know, extend my condolences to the family, and again, notwithstanding that we're in a
17:35public emergency, you are seeing that persons continuing to take that additional risk,
17:42you know, to commit their crimes, to commit their acts of violence, and again, it explains,
17:47you know, the temperature of, you know, our beloved Trinidad and Tobago, and it's important
17:51for us, as I said before, for us to approach this with all due diligence, and to the length
17:57and breadth that the law takes us.
18:00All right, don't forget the numbers to call 623-1711 Extensions 1996, and 1997, we'll
18:06be taking your calls right after this break.
18:19H's Ways Alive Kids Gummies are multivitamin gummies meant to support the development of
18:24children's bodies, like their bones, muscles, joints, brain, heart, and also their immune health.
18:30Choose Alive Kids Gummies by Nature's Way because they deserve it.
18:38Welcome to Holiday Inn Express, I'm Jasmus.
18:42Do enjoy your stay, sir.
18:44Thanks.
18:45Do you want to sit down with me?
18:49Can I have a look?
18:51Oh my god.
18:54Perfect, ma'am.
18:59That's exactly what we need.
19:02I think the pool is just sweet.
19:06Whatever you're here for, we're here for you.
19:09Stay smart at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites.
19:20What you can't see from this image is a man lying in a pool of blood in his living room.
19:40He was shot dead a short while ago as two bandits tried to rob him and his family.
19:47What you can't hear is his wife crying inconsolably.
19:51What you don't know is that his four-year-old daughter is standing looking at her father, confused, begging him to wake up.
19:59Can you imagine what this wife and child are going through and what they will have to go through?
20:04They try to process what has happened.
20:06How can we begin to help?
20:08We can start right here at the Victim and Witness Support Unit.
20:12From investigation to counseling, to helping families find justice, to helping families find peace, this unit gives victims and witnesses hope to cope.
20:25We are the Victim and Witness Support Unit, bridging the service gap between the victims, witnesses, and the police.
20:42Welcome back to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host, Mark Musand.
20:56It's Legally Speaking Wednesdays and we're with Attorney at Law Corporal Zahir Ali of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
21:02And we have our first call on the line. Caller, good evening.
21:05Good evening. Are you hearing me?
21:08Yes, I am. Go ahead.
21:09Are you all hearing me?
21:10Good evening, ma'am.
21:11Good evening, ma'am.
21:18Same to you, ma'am.
21:41I'm not sure you know what I'm speaking about.
21:43I find if something has been said.
21:45All right, because I remember hearing that before, long before the SOE.
21:49I heard where some people were speaking about a particular station where they said the lights are off and they have the door closed as though nobody must go to make a report.
21:58I remember hearing that long before the SOE.
22:01But now when something else has come out and a statement is made, I think what should be done, you make an investigation.
22:09That's why you come and make a remark, because it's like you throw everybody in the bamboo.
22:13That's my first point, and something has to be done about that.
22:16My second point is the prison officer.
22:19I'm tired of hearing officers complaining year after year about what is taking place and the number of things.
22:27When these people are in prison, they have plenty of time to make all sorts of things that could damage people.
22:33I remember one time when they said a noise when they had taken off the phone or something and wanted to beat up everybody.
22:41I'm wondering if drones continue to drop things for them, because we have to be serious.
22:48I know, look, you were talking about people they had killed.
22:52People don't care. They don't care, SOE or not.
22:55They want to do their own thing.
22:57Imagine we have an SOE, but you have your car full of all sorts of drugs and things.
23:02When police stop it, other people find, why are they doing this? Why are they doing that?
23:07Why do they want to look only for the people who are killing people?
23:10Everything that is wrong, they have to look at.
23:13I'm tired of these people getting away.
23:15I hope they find these people who are doing this.
23:18Today is the 15th, and about 14th, so we can say one a day.
23:24That's not good. We have to really do something.
23:27Officer Ali, I heard you say something just now, and I'm happy for you to say that,
23:32because you don't want the same mistake to be made as I spoke before on this program.
23:36The same mistake that was made before, when you hold people,
23:41and then they come now and they get the lawyer for you, and then you have to pay plenty of money.
23:45I'm glad you said what you said just now, so that they will get it right.
23:48All the best to all of you, and be safe, all of you. Thank you very, very much.
23:52Thank you very much, Cola.
23:55Happy New Year to you as well, and your family.
23:58Thank you very much for your three submissions.
24:01The first one, unfortunately, I will have to take a position to reserve further comments
24:06with reference to the issue that's in the public domain.
24:09The head of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Commission has responded,
24:12so I will reserve any further comment in relation to that matter,
24:16and I expect that good sense will prevail.
24:19With reference to the issue surrounding the prisons and the threat,
24:25or I should say the compromise that we are hearing of and we are reading,
24:29and in some instances you are seeing certain acts that are perpetrated.
24:34I want to say respectfully on this public forum,
24:38I know that the decision makers would have provided to us the Administration of Justice
24:44Indictable Proceedings Act in an effort to have hearings being conducted in an expeditious manner.
24:53I think, Mark, I would like to go a little bit further,
24:56and I will check and see whether, in fact, the Administration of Justice Indictable Proceedings Act
25:00accommodates the statement I am going to make, and if it doesn't,
25:03maybe we could be thinking in terms of a possible reform,
25:06that there are particular matters, and particular matters that may be engaging very violent groups
25:12or persons who may be associated with gangs.
25:15I think that the, and I am hoping that the media houses will assist in carrying this statement forward.
25:22With reference, let's look and see whether, in fact, the time has come that if we are anticipating
25:27or we are seeing violent groups, we should be striving to ensure that there is swift justice,
25:33so that actions can be taken in keeping with the rule of law,
25:36as opposed to having persons, you know, remain for an extended period of time.
25:41So let's look at it from a common sense approach, Mark.
25:43If you know that there is a ticking bomb,
25:45there is a group of individuals who may become a threat to public safety and security
25:51by waiting to, you know, face their day,
25:53and I want to also balance it as well,
25:55that who knows whether they, in fact, are in fact seeking swift justice
25:59for the charges that may be laid against them.
26:01So I think that if we are looking at the public safety and security now,
26:04I think that we should be doing an assessment,
26:06and this may also be in conjunction with the DPP's office
26:09to see whether, in fact, we are ready for those persons or group of persons
26:13who are causing the main concern for law enforcement
26:20to face their day with swift justice before the courts of Trinidad and Tobago.
26:24So I just want to make that statement this afternoon.
26:26If the DPP accommodates it, excellent.
26:28If not, let us look and see whether we can have any legal framework
26:33to take that particular approach.
26:34And may I say that there is a very strong public interest to take that step, Mark.
26:38And certainly, because as I was speaking with DCP Benjamin yesterday,
26:43and we spoke about, as you speak about violence groups,
26:46I know the police would have information and intelligence
26:49about the major players involved in certain illicit activities.
26:54And I was just asking a question,
26:56whether or not in this state of emergency
26:59can the police perhaps put out a list of persons of interest of some measure?
27:05And he did say that they were looking at it from a legal perspective.
27:08I know there are legal issues and parameters you have to look at.
27:12But definitely, because we see where the Minister of National Security
27:17would have issued a detention order for Mr. 1 Shumba James.
27:20Yes.
27:21And it was gazetted in a legal notice.
27:23And of course, there's some little gray areas.
27:26People are still very, you know, they're not sure.
27:31And maybe you could kind of clear up that difference
27:34in terms of Mr. James' case and then, I think, Mr. Lee's case,
27:38where he was in custody and then he was ordered to be under house arrest
27:41by the Commission of Police under Section 401C of the emergency regulations.
27:47Well, Mark, I'm aware that in reference to the publication of persons
27:52who may be fitting, let's say, a definition of a suspect
27:54or maybe a person of interest,
27:56I know that that is engaging other legal officers and attorneys in the police service.
28:00So I want to follow some protocol in terms of not overstepping
28:04because I do not know where they reach in terms of that particular research.
28:07But what I want to say to Trinidad and Tobago is that at minimum,
28:12or I should say before I say at minimum, there were two court judgments,
28:16two court judgments that give some direction
28:19with reference to that issue that you raised.
28:21And when we come back, Mark, I want to share at minimum
28:26the responsibility that the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have
28:30with reference to supporting the police in criminal investigation,
28:34detection, prevention, and so forth.
28:36All right. We're going to take a short break.
28:38And when we come back, we'll have more on this discussion
28:40and we'll take more of your calls. Stay with us.
28:42Plumbing problems? Don't guess.
28:55Call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.
28:59Proud to be serving Trinidad and Tobago for over 20 years.
29:03We do it all.
29:05Maintenance and repairs, new construction,
29:10sewer lines, inspection, drain cleaning, leak detection.
29:16We are licensed and insured.
29:18So call Plumbing Solutions at 628-4646.
29:23It starts here with the Trinidad Express newspapers.
29:29To enhance your reading experience,
29:31our back page will now carry the second biggest story of the day,
29:36leading to all of the content you want, local and international news,
29:40sports, weather, lifestyle articles, puzzles, and more.
29:45So whether you like reading from the front or the back,
29:49our new design has you in mind.
29:52It starts here with the Trinidad Express newspapers.
29:58Thank you, members of the media.
30:00This concludes our weekly press briefing.
30:04As the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues to protect and serve with pride,
30:10we are calling on all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to get on board with us
30:15to ensure that everyone is able to live in a crime-free society.
30:22Are you on board?
30:26This is my country and I am on board.
30:30I am on board with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
30:33Let us save the youth of the nation. Get on board.
30:36Crime affects all of us, children, communities, and the country as a whole.
30:42Supporting crime victims and working with the police service, I am on board.
30:47This is my country and I am on board.
30:52My name is Nikolai Blackmon and I am on board with the TTPS.
30:56Vision on Mission is proud to partner with the TTPS
31:00because crime prevention is everybody's business.
31:03We are the National Congress of Incorporated Spiritual Baptist Organizations of Trinidad and Tobago
31:09and we are on board with the TTPS in its fight against crime.
31:13I am a farmer. This is my country and I am on board.
31:17I am Charles Jason Gordon, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Port-au-Prince.
31:22I am on board in the TTPS fight against crime.
31:26We are all on board.
31:30We are all on board.
32:01Thank you very much, Mark.
32:03While I pointed you to the two existing High Court judgments
32:07with reference to the issue of the publication of persons who may be deemed suspect
32:12or a person of interest in engaging members of the public,
32:16I want to indicate that under the Judges' Rule,
32:19which is a rule that governs police and police investigations,
32:22it is quite clear that those Judges' Rules came all the way from the United Kingdom since 1965 and on about.
32:29And clearly enshrined in the rules, and let me echo it, the Judges' Rules and Judges' Guidance,
32:35it clearly indicated that the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago has a duty to assist the police.
32:40So if we just go in on that simple guidance, the Judges' Guidance and Rules,
32:44what other opportunity would you have as a citizen to be able to assist the police?
32:49Is it that the police will go to talk to every single individual
32:52when you can use technology effectively to be able to say,
32:55okay, we are investigating a particular matter and the police may want to speak to X who they cannot locate.
33:03And, you know, when one look at, and I don't want to be legalistic,
33:07but when one looking at you have in terms of when you're looking at the law of defamation,
33:11you have any defenses, you have justification and you have privilege.
33:14And I think from a law enforcement context, you know, this is where in my view that we need to be thinking.
33:18But I don't want to, you know, go too further because I know that persons are looking at it.
33:22But, you know, just to, you know, create some interest in relation to the matter,
33:26I think it's of significance to have some certainty because we cannot be saying,
33:30if you see something, say something, or we are asking the citizenry of Trinidad and Tobago
33:34to participate in the investigative process, but not giving them an effective
33:38or use an ineffective medium to attract 1.5 million people plus to participate in our process.
33:44And how often, Mark, would we be relying on members of the media to be able to highlight an issue
33:49so that the police can be attracted to that issue?
33:52Why, you know, can't we not use technology effectively?
33:55And even if we have to shape the law, if need be, then so be it in order to be effective in investigations.
34:01Exactly. And I just want to remind you of the numbers to call 623-1711, extensions 1996 and 1997.
34:11We wanted to just go back to yesterday when 18-year-old Hill, Junior Besson,
34:20was shot and killed the previous night in Diggle Mountain.
34:25And apparently he ended up on Christmas, YouTube, the YouTube Christmas list,
34:33interviews going into rough neighborhoods.
34:37I don't know if we have the video of him talking to Christmas lists.
34:41My producer probably would.
34:43And essentially, a relative would have spoken to the media following that incident.
34:51And we wanted to take a listen at that audio, of that audio, sorry,
34:56and then I think Corporal Alley wants to make some legal pronouncements.
35:01For all the people who say it's gang-related, yes, that's a part and parcel to play with it.
35:08But plenty of people don't know the kind of peer pressure the children must be facing out there from members of a gang.
35:14Because if you want to be out there, because you're young, you want to be out there.
35:19You have to be done, you have to be done with something.
35:23And apparently he was done with the wrong thing.
35:27And the wrong thing, he ended up having to go in a box now.
35:32Mark, I want to thank you very much for, and, you know, Jackie and others for bringing back that particular audio.
35:39Mark, I want to begin by, you know, extending my condolences to that family in relation to that individual, who I understand now turned 18.
35:51But I want to take this opportunity to speak to Trinidad and Tobago, parents, guardians, and persons who may have the responsibility for children.
36:01And I want to speak in a context where, if we look, listen carefully to what that relative have expressed.
36:09For me it's troubling, and it's of deep concern, and I hope that we use this opportunity, and I'm going to use this opportunity to echo
36:19that, and I just want to point to one legislation, Mark, that there's an anti-gang legislation, number 4 of 2021, in Trinidad and Tobago.
36:28And if we look within the depths of that particular legislation, when we are hearing that gangs, and we are hearing gangs place that individual under pressure,
36:39and from, you know, all things being equal, basically it appears that either he was coerced, either he was recruited, either he was involved in supporting that gang,
36:51and more so as a child, maybe he was harbored.
36:55And just by context, Mark, the reason why I have identified those operative words is to demonstrate that parents, guardians, and persons with responsibility for children in particular,
37:07we are in a state of public emergency, and I'm asking you all that those who are affected by organized groups or gangs,
37:16putting that level of pressure, or coercing, or attempting to recruit, or has, or have recruited, as the case may be, or even harboring,
37:29I want to urge you to open the anti-gang legislation and invoke the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
37:37I think it was very disturbing to hear that relative speak in the way that he spoke,
37:42because it appeared to me that there were things that maybe was occurring and was happening.
37:47But if we have the responsibility, Mark, to ensure that we protect our nation's children, it's important for us to take that step.
37:55And to conclude, if a child, and I spoke about the anti-gang legislation a short while ago, I'm going to go under the Children's Authority, and also under the Children's Act.
38:06If we are aware that a child is in the company of a criminal, the law states that that child is in need of care and protection.
38:14So I thought it was important to use this opportunity to educate Trinidad and Tobago, and let the passing of this particular individual mean something to Trinidad and Tobago.
38:24It's unfortunate, Mark, that we have to use this situation, but I think it's a real-life scenario, and I'm asking kindly for Trinidad and Tobago,
38:32parents, guardians, and persons with a responsibility for children, and when I say responsibility, it goes into the educational system.
38:41There may be principals, there may be teachers, there may be other persons within that fraternity who's also aware that children may be exposed to a level of harm.
38:51And I'm asking you all to, the law is there to protect you, open the anti-gang legislation, and legally push the police to ensure that they provide that level of protection and investigate those matters.
39:03So I want to thank you very much, Mark, for bringing back that audio, and Jackie, thank you very much.
39:07So that's a message to parents out there. If you think you're having issues with your son or even your daughter wanting to join a gang or is getting involved with persons that are allegedly gang members,
39:19feel free to call us, get in contact with Mr. Ali. We want to hear your story, and we want to help if we can.
39:25So we're going to take a short break, and when we get back, we'll take more of your calls. Stay with us.
39:38Oh, the place is too hot for this old lady. You know, a long time ago, I can't remember the place being so hot. Cheese!
39:45Mom, just don't turn on the A.C. The fans work just fine, and they cost less.
39:49Honey, we cannot manage the heat like this. Now, I've done some research. We could reduce the electricity bill just by getting an inverter A.C. and by using it wisely.
39:58Set the A.C. to a moderate temperature, and we could use the fans to circulate the cool air.
40:03That sounds like a smart compromise.
40:05Great.
40:06Solar power to the people.
40:09At Cruise Inn Hotel and Yachting Center, we're all about time. In fact, once you check in, there's no time to lose.
40:16Reconnect with a little family time. Make a splash with some pool time.
40:22Spend some treasured quality time or just immerse yourself in some quiet time.
40:28Indulge your senses at dinner time.
40:31We even have the perfect venue when it's your celebration time.
40:35So, it's high time you visit Cruise Inn.
40:38Choose our day pass or call 607-4000 to make your dinner or hotel reservations or to find out more about our event spaces.
40:48Take a time out at Cruise Inn Hotel and Yachting Center.
40:55Trinidad and Tobago's love.
40:58Trinidad and Tobago's love.
41:00Love of athletes is conditional and optional based on...
41:06My lover's got no money. He's got his strong beliefs.
41:10The fearless one is asking, what do the people of Trinidad and Tobago really want?
41:17We want more and more.
41:20Athletes, coaches, administrators and public. We need to find the desire to work together.
41:28Join us on iSports on i95.5 FM to find out more.
41:35iSports with Andre Errol Batiste. Thursday 625 PM and Saturday 615 PM.
41:42On the most influential name in sports, i95.5 FM.
41:50iSports with Andre Errol Batiste. Thursday 625 PM and Saturday 615 PM.
42:21It's not a thrill when your speed can't kill.
42:27iSports with Andre Errol Batiste. Thursday 625 PM and Saturday 615 PM.
42:45Welcome back to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host Mark Bassant.
42:48With a tenured law couple, Zaheer Ali, attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
42:53We have a call on the line. Caller, good evening.
42:56Hi, good evening Mr. Bassant and good evening to you, Corporal Ali.
43:01I'm thankful for the opportunity to call you.
43:04I'm also on this air to get some feedback as a citizen of Corporal Ali.
43:09I would really like to hear your feedback. I was on the line for a while listening.
43:13And to be honest, you know, I see the reports.
43:19But I was just thinking back for a while now.
43:22You know, presently the conversation is about the tints.
43:26A while ago, the commissioner made a statement about the gel blasters coming into the country.
43:33A while back it was about vehicles driving around with blue lights.
43:38And a little more serious than that, a while back, it was about like average citizens.
43:43The show showed on the show who dressed up in police uniform and riding around on police vehicles.
43:51When I put all of this together, and what has been going on for so many years,
43:57I am beyond baffled to understand how things make sense.
44:03You know, at a certain point, you know, the entry to a picture is leaked.
44:08So you always hear about the conversation between poor at the borders.
44:12Was the analysis of the borders to identify what the total borders, the total circumference of the country.
44:23Just the presence and attention coming in the country.
44:27You know, you just touched on this recently, Mr. Ali.
44:33The support from police officers, we don't have that within the country.
44:38So within the society, it's well known.
44:42I have some experience that when you make reports to police officers, you do not get that support.
44:47So criminals feel as though there's no repercussions.
44:51You know, but most importantly, the key point is, you know, what is getting in the country.
44:58How are items coming in the country?
45:01And then once the good law-abiding citizens have that real support from police officers,
45:06I think that's a big key there also.
45:09A lot more thoughts will come to our mind, but I really want to say,
45:12I'm beyond confused to understand how year after year, decade after decade,
45:18you know, before this show started, I thought this,
45:20the thought crossed my mind that the police, this is an organization that was enforced way before, I believe, we all were born.
45:29So how it is, the organization still having difficulty every year to manage the same job functions.
45:41Thank you very much, Kola, for your perspective.
45:44And I want to assure you that it's well received.
45:48And as I, you know, always give the assurance to members of the public,
45:52that as an individual, as a son of the soil,
45:55as a son of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and also the legal profession,
45:59that I'll do my best to ensure that, you know, I continue to urge persons to appreciate
46:04that when you are in office, like the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service,
46:07with that mandate to prevent and detect crime under the infraction of the law,
46:11it's a very, very significant duty and responsibility.
46:14As a matter of fact, it coincides with the most fundamental right under the Constitution,
46:19which is the right to safety and security mark.
46:22And we have heard about that right to safety and security in the recent debate on Monday
46:26in the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago in the House of Representatives.
46:29So, again, your perspective is well received.
46:32So thank you very much.
46:33Certainly, Kola.
46:34And we want to thank you for your input.
46:36And we want to just switch gears a little bit to...
46:40Oh, actually, we have another caller on the line.
46:43Caller, good evening.
46:47Good evening, caller.
46:49Good evening, good evening, Mr. Mark Bassant and the Honorable Officer.
46:55Good evening, sir.
46:56A question to you, and particularly the image and the integrity of the police service is at risk now.
47:06I think the confidence we have is very low.
47:10And there is an opportunity to build and improve that confidence.
47:15And I'm going back to 2018.
47:19And why I'm going back to 2018, it revolves around the charges laid against the stepdaughter of a high government official.
47:31And now it is in the public domain.
47:34That young lady is the cousin of a former police commissioner.
47:40That is, I realized that a couple of years ago.
47:43So what I'm saying, since 2018 to now, that is seven years, justice delayed is justice denied.
47:53And I'm hoping the justice system do something to bring that issue to an end.
48:01Let it just fall where they lie.
48:04And in particular, I don't want the TTPS or anybody in this service to say we have lost file.
48:12The evidence has gone missing.
48:16The people who were there to give evidence are not there.
48:20The prosecutor have gone into hiding or gone abroad.
48:25More importantly, the newspaper article said that a BMW was driven away from the scene.
48:34I think the TTPS must revisit that whole investigation, that whole arrest, and try to bring it to our attention.
48:42If that person in that BMW, a black BMW, might, might, might, might be part of the whole process.
48:52And we compromise, and the TTPS was complicit.
48:55I want to have your last enjoyed evening.
48:58All right, Kola, thank you.
49:00Corporal Ali, we will let you respond after this short break.
49:03Stay with us.
49:13Custom-made blinds and shades from MegaTraders.
49:16Serving T&T for over 25 years.
49:19Our blinds will help you get privacy and safety in your home.
49:22Get sun protection, control light that gives TV glare and bleaching of your furniture and carpet.
49:28Increase insulation and cut down on your energy costs.
49:31And don't forget, your blinds will beautify your home.
49:34Create your dream home at affordable prices.
49:36Visit our beautiful showroom at 81 Sapera Street, San Fernando.
49:39Or call us at 652-4438 for an estimate.
49:43Your immune system is your first line of defense.
49:46Discover Biostrath Immune Health.
49:49Biostrath Immune Health is enriched with zinc, ensuring that your body stays resilient.
49:55Biostrath Immune Health. Get what you need naturally.
49:59Get extra value with the Express Classifies.
50:02Did you know that when you book with the Express Classifies, your ad also appears in the Express Classifies Online,
50:09allowing you to reach more potential customers.
50:12And now, with our new improved search engine, buyers can find your ad by category, by keyword,
50:17or even using the features of the item for sale.
50:20Once they've found your ad, they can now save it to their devices and return to it later.
50:25Or share it with a friend with just the click of a button.
50:28With these online features, you can reach even more customers with the most read newspaper in TNT.
50:33So don't wait. Book your ad today and get extra value with the Express Classifies.
50:38Consider it sold.
50:43This is Mary.
50:46Mary has bills to pay and takes a chance parking in front of the building at the no parking sign.
50:52Mary returns to her car and this is what happens.
50:58No matter the adjustment, I'm paying right now.
51:03Mary decides to call when she's five minutes away to let her daughter know that she is close by.
51:09But Mary forgot one thing.
51:13Boy, second ticket for the day. I don't know. I really don't know. Well, I tell you.
51:18After two tickets, Mary just isn't paying attention to her speed.
51:25If you're a fisherman, you know that the speed limit is 15 kilometers.
51:28You have 30 years of pay and 15 years of contest.
51:31I'm going to show it to all the people. Look at all the people passing. You haven't seen them.
51:34You haven't seen me, right?
51:39Don't be like Mary.
51:41Obey the laws of the road.
51:43A message from the TTPS.
51:54Welcome back to be on the tape. I'm your host, Mark Besant.
52:04Joined today by Corporal Zahir Ali Atinyatlo with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
52:10And I'll let you obviously respond to the caller's last question.
52:14Well, Mark, again, you know, here in from a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.
52:18It referenced how he feels in relation to the trust and confidence where the TTPS is concerned.
52:24You know, it's a concern and it's concerning for me as well.
52:27And, you know, I want to urge members of the public that, you know, while there may be, you know, one, you know, or two other persons,
52:35you know, you know, just, you know, by way of example, that may be putting the police service in a prejudicial position.
52:40I want to urge you all that this is your Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
52:44This is your Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
52:46And, you know, I appreciate when you all expressed, you know, respectfully, you know, how you all feel.
52:51And may I say as well, Mark, you know, we you and I have spoken about Sir Robert Peel and I'm going back many, many years ago
52:58where police legitimacy is dependent on the citizen's trust and confidence in that particular institution.
53:05Centuries, you know, so I want to say that police legitimacy is dependent on how the public feels about the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
53:12So, Kola, you know, again, I received your concern, but I asked Trinidad and Tobago, this is your Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
53:21And again, I want to give you the assurance that I and the remainder of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service,
53:28those who are diligent and those who are bent on upholding the rule of law,
53:32we'll try our utmost best to ensure that we build on that trust and confidence.
53:37And I want to say that the Police Complaints Authority, Mark, the Professional Standards Bureau,
53:42it's important for these units to play their role to assist us in promoting public trust and confidence.
53:48And what's a better way of promoting public trust and confidence?
53:51It's holding police officers and law enforcement in general responsible for when they contravene the criminal law or they act inappropriately.
53:58So, Kola, again, I will, in fact, continue to do my part to ensure that the TTPS continue to perform their legal mandate for the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago.
54:10Let me just add to the Kola. I was actually on that scene that he mentioned.
54:13I was actually there even before the police got there.
54:16And I knew about that particular vehicle that he speaks about.
54:21It was intercepted later by the police.
54:23Whether the vehicle was parked and somebody had visited that building and left,
54:29my understanding was that nothing was found in the vehicle to actually tie that individual to the alleged bus at that time.
54:38I don't know what transpired after that.
54:40But that is what my understanding of what occurred on that particular day because there were videos that were circulated within minutes of that.
54:49And they had to release the individual because they did not find anything illicit in the vehicle.
54:54Okay. Well, I acknowledge your information, Mark.
54:57But as I said before, if there's a prosecution ongoing and persons who may have relevant information or evidence with reference to that matter,
55:04do not fret to bring it to the Director of Public Prosecutions or come to the police and share any information or evidence that can support that case in moving forward.
55:15All right. And we also want to encourage those parents and those persons who feel that their children might be at risk,
55:23having wanting to join a gang or being persuaded to join a gang by a friend or somebody in a gang.
55:32We want to encourage you all, obviously, to reach out to the relevant authorities.
55:36Reach out to us here, Ivan, if you want to vent, if you want advice on how to go about it.
55:41Obviously, Corporal Ali here and other senior officers can assist you all in doing such.
55:47And closing remarks in 10 seconds.
55:49Well, thank you very much, Mark, for endorsing that.
55:51And, you know, I'm happy that, you know, you placed that extra spin on that particular issue.
55:57And again, it's about protecting our children and protecting our communities so that, you know, we have a society that is productive.
56:07So thank you very much, Mark, as always.
56:09And to Trinidad and Tobago, you know, continue to remain focused and exercise that level of due diligence.
56:15All right. Repeat tonight at 11.30. We run tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
56:21Guess what? The TV6 News is up next. Stay with us.
56:37.
Be the first to comment