00:00You try to be a good police service, we are one. We have always been one team and each and every one of us, we all operate as one.
00:11Even in terms of deputy commissioners, intelligence need operation, operation need administration, we operate as one.
00:18Deputy Commissioner of Police, Junior Benjamin, at the TTPS media briefing on Monday, being questioned about Police Commissioner,
00:25Christopher's release from custody on Saturday, following her arrest about two days earlier and an ongoing investigation into the illegal importation of firearms.
00:35We continue to remain focused that there is a nation that needs us and we have an SOE in effect and we have our objectives to perform within the SOE
00:48and we will do our duties with our fair or favour, malice or ill will.
00:53However, DCP Benjamin sought to make one thing clear as TV6 News sought an answer with regard to the state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:02So the police service right now is run by the three deputy commissioners.
01:08Being the most senior deputy commissioner, I take that responsibility of giving what I call strategic direction at this time until the process for the acting commissioner is completed.
01:23Also as well, which of these deputy commissioners would be directly responsible for the operations of the police service regarding the state of emergency at this time?
01:36DCP Benjamin also added to his response on Sunday about a viral video of a sermon he delivered in a bulletproof vest at the Cathedral of Excellence Church in Tunapuna.
01:50In that video, I think many persons would hear me make mention of the fact that I would be a commissioner of police and I would like to address the context of that statement.
02:06I went on further by explaining to persons, giving examples that I as an individual would find myself when I'm down, encouraging myself with these affirmations.
02:21One of those affirmations is that I will not die before my time, that I will be a commissioner of police, that I'll be a very good commissioner of police.
02:29This did not happen any time recently. This was last year, August the 4th.
02:35The Police Service Commission said in a statement on Sunday that the names of the top ranked individuals for an acting police commissioner and acting deputy police commissioner were presented to the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for the approval of the House of Representatives.
02:52Based on what we've seen reported in the last few hours, it seems as if you are the person, your affirmation will become a reality. How do you feel about that?
03:04The process is presently being conducted and I would want that process to be completed before I even make any further comments on that at this moment.
03:17As for any questions regarding the ongoing firearms importation investigation led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Intelligence and Investigations Suzette Martin, DCP Benjamin said she would be best pleased to answer those questions.
03:30DCP Martin was not at the TTPS media conference on Monday.
03:35Jule Brown, TV6 News.
