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00:00This program is unsuitable for young children.
00:30Beyond the tape, we'll be back after these messages.
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01:18The John Cupid Carnival Village invites you to enjoy it all.
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03:31Welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:32I'm your host, Mark Bassan.
03:33Welcome to all of your viewers in Trinidad and Tobago
03:36and of course, across the globe.
03:38We want to welcome all the visitors who have come in
03:41for the carnival festivities over the next week
03:44and we encourage you to please be safe
03:47and to observe various things when you go out
03:51and be mindful of what the TTPS might be telling you.
03:55So, we certainly look forward to you all having a great time here
04:00and of course, today is, legally speaking, Wednesdays
04:04and with us is Acting Sergeant Zahir Ali
04:07and a tenured law of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
04:10Welcome, sir.
04:11Thank you very much, Mark.
04:12Again, it's a pleasure and honor to be here this afternoon.
04:14Good evening to Trinidad and Tobago,
04:17Jackie and other members of the Beyond the Tape family
04:22and my law enforcement colleagues.
04:24Mark, I want to echo the sentiments in relation to
04:26welcoming all our visitors to Trinidad and Tobago
04:29and those who may have been here prior
04:32and those who will be coming in as the days unfold.
04:38There's a lot happening, Mark.
04:41It's a very short statement, but it means a lot.
04:43A lot is happening in many different spheres.
04:46But again, it's a pleasure to be here
04:49and I hope that I can assist in whatever capacity
04:52that I may be invoked this afternoon.
04:54Well, certainly.
04:55Before we go any further,
04:57I just wanted to inform you viewers
04:59that the Beyond the Tape will be taking a break
05:01from today until next Thursday
05:04because, of course, a number of officers
05:07that usually grace this program,
05:10they need to be out before Carnival
05:13and during Carnival festivities.
05:15So definitely, we need them out on the streets
05:18to provide that support and protection
05:22and security for the revelers, the partygoers,
05:26and everybody in between that,
05:29even those who are going out onto the beaches or rivers.
05:32So just remember, after today,
05:34we will be back next Thursday
05:37at the normal time at 6 o'clock.
05:39I know today we had the opening
05:43of the Brasso Police Station
05:45with Acting Commissioner Police Junior Benjamin
05:48and let's just take a look at some of that video.
05:52We have listened.
05:54Your cries did not fall on deaf or distant ears.
05:59That's why it is both an honor and a privilege
06:04to stand before you today
06:06as we mark the official reopening
06:10of the Brasso Police Station.
06:12But policing is not a one-side effort.
06:16Effective crime prevention and public safety
06:20requires cooperation from the community.
06:25We need your support,
06:28your information,
06:30your trust to make Brasso an environment
06:34a safe one for all.
06:38We are here so that we can be out there
06:43where you are offering guidance,
06:46also advice, assurance, and support
06:50when you need it most.
06:52As we turn this page in Brasso's history,
06:55I encourage you to see this station
06:58as a place of refuge, support, and partnership
07:03Together, we can build a safer, stronger community.
07:08As I conclude, it is my prayer
07:11that this station will serve to be a beacon of trust,
07:16safety, unity in years to come.
07:21Acting Commissioner Police Junior Benjamin
07:24at the opening of the Brasso Police Station.
07:27I am sure a lot of the residents are now breathing a sigh of relief
07:31because there was an incident in the Tabakit area
07:34where a young man was shot and killed.
07:38After more than two years,
07:42it is really important that these persons
07:45feel a sense of security with the opening of this new station.
07:49I want to acknowledge and endorse
07:53the Acting Commissioner of Police's comments
07:55at the opening of the Brasso Police Station.
07:57I want to take this opportunity
07:59to emphasize why they have opened the police station
08:03from an infrastructural context.
08:05I want to emphasize and build on the Acting Commissioner's position
08:09that it is equally important that the human resource capacity
08:13that will be occupying the Brasso Police Station
08:17should take heed of the Acting Commissioner's call
08:21and ensure that the opening of the Brasso Police Station
08:24is not a matter of formality,
08:28but that the community and surrounding environments
08:30feel the effect of the Brasso Police Station
08:34and by extension, the human resource capacity
08:36in terms of policing, protecting and serving with pride.
08:40I just wanted to add that element because,
08:42like in anything, Mark, infrastructure is the start.
08:46You can have the most brilliant infrastructure
08:48if the human resource capacity is not prepared
08:50to police that particular area and its environment.
08:54We would not be achieving our maximum
08:58in an effort like this.
09:00Hats off to the Acting Commissioner and the TTPS
09:02and I wish the Central Division
09:04and by extension the Brasso Police
09:06all the very best as they move forward
09:08in protecting and serving the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
09:10I also think that the Acting Commissioner
09:12also raised the issue or he actually touched on the issue
09:15of that community involvement,
09:18assisting the police going forward
09:20because that's an integral part
09:22of making our communities safer
09:24by having that engagement with the citizenry.
09:28Well, again, that is of extreme importance.
09:32I always refer to this and you always support me
09:34that Sir Robert Peel spoke about the importance
09:39of the public and the famous line
09:41the public is the police and the police is the public
09:43and you have seen where the public cried out
09:47to the state agencies for that opening
09:50of the Brasso Police Station
09:52and this response from the state.
09:54So, again, I also want to extend it
09:56to the Ministry of National Security as well
09:58because, you know, Mark, let's look at it
10:00when you open a police station,
10:02you have to also look at budgetary issues
10:04and that sort of thing.
10:06So, it will require and impact other offices
10:08in the Ministry of Finance and so forth
10:10but, again, it is geared towards ensuring
10:12that in the police service internal framework
10:14you have public engagement
10:16and community partnership.
10:18You have public safety and you have operational excellence
10:20and that move definitely impacts
10:22those three pillars
10:24under the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
10:26strategic plan
10:28in, you know, in recent times.
10:30So, you know, I hope that it will
10:32we will see the success quickly
10:34and it will be able to restore public trust
10:36and confidence especially in that particular area
10:38where you referred to that crime
10:40heinous crime that would have taken place.
10:42Most certainly. Alright, let's take a look
10:44at the state of emergency. We just want to take
10:46a quick look at our figures.
10:48Thus far,
10:50number of operations
10:523,163 target
10:54prior to offenders
10:562,391
10:58conducted thus far
11:0021,570 traffic operations
11:022,786
11:04total persons arrested thus far
11:062,324
11:08traffic offenses detected
11:1011,137
11:12111 firearms
11:14recovered
11:162,735 ammunition recovered
11:18dangerous drugs seized thus far
11:20308,473
11:22308,473
11:24grams of cannabis
11:26and just over 2,017 grams
11:28of cocaine
11:30and 58 grams of estacy
11:32So, police is continuing
11:34their operations
11:36into this, you know,
11:38this ongoing
11:40illicit contraband, firearms
11:42drugs and those
11:44lawbreakers, gang members
11:46and other persons are
11:48suspected of other types of crimes
11:50Well, Mark, I think that you have led
11:52me into a very important
11:54area. I don't know how much time we have before the break
11:56but I think we will
11:58pick up that subject matter
12:00I guess a little in the second segment, of course
12:02Okay, thank you very much for that. So, I'll just briefly
12:04indicate that, you know, when we look
12:06there's a particular area in terms of the traffic offenses
12:08and the statistics that you have just read out
12:10and I think it's directly relevant
12:12and I think I need to make mention as a
12:14reminder at the same time
12:16that we are in a period of festivity
12:18and while it has not been
12:20defined to say, okay, driving without seatbelt
12:22or driving under the influence of
12:24alcohol or driving with a cell phone in your hands
12:26and so forth, I think it's important for us
12:28to appreciate that traffic
12:30offenses, traffic violations
12:32let us pay attention
12:34to as motorists, you know
12:36as a society
12:38let us pay attention to that particular
12:40gap, especially with this festive season
12:42to ensure that we go through this
12:44particular period and continuing without
12:46any road fatality or any
12:48serious injuries to persons who may be
12:50moving about, you know, to enjoy
12:52the festivity
12:54and also tonight, you know, from
12:56a Hindu community context
12:58there's an observance this afternoon
13:00later into the night
13:02so persons will be moving about, you know, visiting their
13:04temples and so forth, and also later
13:06on this week, we are also anticipating
13:08the holy month of Ramadan, so it's a lot
13:10of heightened activities from a religious
13:12and from a social context, so I'm asking
13:14members of the public, you know, take heed
13:16and be safe on the nation's road
13:18Certainly. Alright, let's go to our
13:20headlines
13:34So, those were some of the headlines
13:36within the last 24 hours
13:38and of course, we were talking about road
13:40fatalities or road accidents
13:42and unfortunately, earlier
13:44today, a woman was struck
13:46by a vehicle on High Street
13:48in San Fernando
13:50you know, she obviously
13:52was hit by a vehicle
13:54and she was taken to the hospital
13:56and she was taken to the hospital
13:58and she was taken to the hospital
14:00and she was taken to the hospital
14:03you know, she obviously
14:05was being rendered assistance there
14:07by a number of persons who came to
14:09aid and, you know,
14:11certainly, we have to ask
14:13drivers to be extremely cautious
14:15you know, especially, this is a
14:17crowded commercial area, High Street
14:19San Fernando
14:21And again, Mark, you know, just to reiterate
14:23you know, in terms of the motorists
14:25and also, importantly
14:27exercising due diligence because the pedestrians
14:29you know, people are moving
14:31moving along and sometimes
14:33you know, maybe not paying the attention that they should be paying
14:35so I'm also directing it to the pedestrians
14:37you know, exercise your public
14:39safety
14:41you know, directions in terms of
14:43looking right, looking left, looking right again
14:45and you know, that sort of thing to ensure that you are
14:47also safe on the nation's road
14:49And you know, as you talk about safety
14:51you know, there are officers on the road
14:53police officers and even traffic wardens
14:55also part of that and unfortunately
14:57earlier this week, a traffic warden
14:59was struck in the Independence Square
15:01area here
15:03while I gather, doing their jobs
15:05by a vehicle
15:07their
15:09fellow officers are rendering assistance
15:11there
15:13the officer injured, obviously, lying on the
15:15pavement in some kind of
15:17discomfort or pain
15:19and certainly, you know, sometimes
15:21you might have robbed a driver
15:23the wrong way and then they speed off
15:25or your
15:27every mirror might hit your hand or something of the
15:29sort, so you also have to be
15:31careful. No, most certainly
15:33Mark, and you know, when you look at the duties
15:35and responsibilities that the traffic warden
15:37you know, have to perform
15:39you know, being on the roadway
15:41you know, directing traffic, you know, that's
15:43always an inherent risk, you know, and I will use
15:45this opportunity to advise them
15:47and their executive to ensure that they continue
15:49to brief those officers properly
15:51in ensuring that there's, whatever position
15:53that they are adopting, that they are adopting a safe
15:55position to ensure that they can do the public's business
15:57but, again, unfortunate situation and
15:59you know, I wish that person a quick recovery
16:01or if there's a need to conduct an investigation
16:03if a person was driving without due
16:05care and attention, you know, I hope for a speedy
16:07investigation in relation to that matter. Yes,
16:09indeed. Alright, we're going to take a short break
16:11and we'll be back. Stay with us.
16:17Trinidad is too small, it's affecting
16:19the country psychologically, economically
16:21a lot of people would like to
16:23come to Carnival and have a good time
16:25and free, you know, you come for
16:27entertainment, you know,
16:29so it's affecting the economy.
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18:15Show starts promptly at
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18:19The show will include
18:29Kings and queens of
18:31carnival in all their majesty
18:33and certainly the
18:35ten Calypso finalists
18:37and we are going to have
18:39three cars on the stage for the
18:41winners
18:43March Rock 2025
18:45take me home
18:47I look forward to seeing you
18:49on Big Sunday at
18:51Queen's Park, Savannah
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20:39Thank you very much, Mark. I think that
20:41area that you have taken me to
20:43it's an area that has regional importance
20:45if not international importance
20:47so it's not only from a national context
20:49and first let me, you know
20:51recognize the
20:53Honorable Prime Minister move at the
20:55CARICOM with other CARICOM leaders
20:57to look for ways
20:59to strengthen the fight against gangs
21:01and gangs that are
21:03posing a threat to public safety
21:05and security
21:07that has
21:09the potential
21:11to corrupt public officials
21:13so I think that I just want to
21:15recognize that move
21:17that response from CARICOM
21:19and the thinking
21:21that is presently unfolding
21:23at the same time, I want to also say
21:25that when we look at our legal
21:27construct in Trinidad and Tobago, Mark
21:29I think this is something that is important
21:31that when you look at our anti-gang
21:33legislation
21:35at least one of the scheduled offense
21:37deals with terrorism
21:39and offenses under the terrorism act
21:41so the point that I want to drive home
21:43is that we are, in my respective view
21:45we are already advanced
21:47from a Trinidad and Tobago context where our
21:49anti-gang legislation marries
21:51offenses under the anti-terrorism act
21:53so for example, you will have an
21:55a gang that is defined as two or more
21:57persons, whether formally or informally
21:59organized, which engages
22:01in a gang-related activity
22:03so gang-related activity or gang-related offense
22:05also
22:07takes us into the anti-terrorism
22:09act, so we already have
22:11within our laws the opportunity
22:13to be able to explore
22:15the thinking of CARICOM, so I just wanted to make
22:17that public
22:19additionally, when you look at how the
22:21anti-terrorism is rooted, you see
22:23that persons who
22:25intimidate the public or a section
22:27of the public to advance
22:29a political religious
22:31or ideology
22:33and if you really look at
22:35ideology in a wide sphere, it was
22:37in my view, defined
22:39very broad, to be able to
22:41bring gang ideology into the context
22:43so persons who want to promote a particular gang
22:45and they are using
22:47high power rifles to send messages
22:49to create public mayhem
22:51and you know, not
22:53not
22:55dismissing what the public emergency
22:57was declared on, where groups
22:59of persons have threatened public safety
23:01and security, so I just thought it was
23:03important to bring that perspective to
23:05in response to the CARICOM
23:07and where they are looking
23:09at treating gangs
23:11with a terrorism lens
23:13it is already into the anti-gang legislation
23:15my recommendation this afternoon though
23:17would be Mark, that if we are looking at
23:19the anti-terrorism act, I think
23:21that we should be looking to
23:23import the powers
23:25that are afforded under the anti-terrorism
23:27act under the anti-gang legislation
23:29and for example
23:31the powers of detention under the
23:33anti-terrorism act gives you a
23:35period of 48 hours in the first instance and then
23:37you can have an extension up to
23:3914 days to be able to do your investigation
23:41or persons who may be
23:43interfering with the investigation
23:45or you may want to preserve evidence
23:47you have power of detention under the
23:49anti-terrorism and you also have powers
23:51to gather information so you can bring
23:53persons in formally and interview
23:55persons who you may have, who you believe
23:57may have useful information so I'd like to
23:59join the conversation by
24:01asking the authorities to look at the powers
24:03under the anti-gang legislation, sorry
24:05anti-terrorism so that we can
24:07import it under the anti-gang legislation
24:09to make us more strong
24:11in our response in fighting gangs
24:13that are threatening
24:15public safety and security
24:17in Trinidad and Tobago and by extension
24:19from a transnational context.
24:21I appreciate that point of course and I know
24:23I hope the Attorney General and others are
24:25listening. Yes, thank you. I think we have a call
24:27on the line. Caller, good evening.
24:29Hi, good evening Mr. Bassan
24:31and also good evening Corporal Ali
24:33hope you all gentlemen are doing good
24:35during the show
24:37can I ask you a minute please
24:39I personally enjoy legally speaking
24:41when there's opportunity to get
24:43someone more in the law
24:45making and law understanding
24:47field to hear honest
24:49conversations as someone coming up
24:51and willing to really learn the
24:53parameters of how citizenship
24:55operates. It's unfortunate we have
24:57to go so deep in like
24:59mathematical understanding
25:01but to keep my contribution
25:03brief, I thought that came across
25:05to my mind yesterday that
25:07you know you would have heard officers in the past say
25:09crime is dynamic, ever changing
25:11but what remains the same is
25:13the landscape of the country
25:15you know, the land,
25:17the district, they don't morph into
25:19brand new unfamiliar territories
25:21that's one point
25:23and some citizens
25:25they might be confused of what the scale
25:27is justice because if we keep hearing
25:29good words, we keep hearing this
25:31but when it comes time to see actual
25:33peace and justice
25:35and we're not seeing that, we might be
25:37confused and someone like myself
25:39I spoke for closure and for
25:41mental and spiritual peace of mind
25:43I had to give that realization that
25:45maybe what I see is not real
25:47that I have to kind of
25:49gain my own learning
25:51at that very last point
25:53last week or earlier
25:55I would have mentioned I went through a situation
25:57where I was discriminated against
25:59in terms of employment
26:01I still deal with that, I've made every effort
26:03on my end to gain employment
26:05if you could look into that
26:07I know you'll say leave my number, if you have the opportunity
26:09you could reach out to me, thank you very much
26:11for your time
26:13Thank you very much Kola, as always
26:15for your kind comments, your feedback
26:17very frank and open
26:19and you know
26:21I'll reach out to you
26:23once you leave your number with Jackie to see how best
26:25we can assist you with reference to your
26:27personal affairs
26:29Alright, I know you would have
26:31made a mention of other things
26:33I don't know if you wanted to
26:35make any comment about
26:37the other things you had mentioned earlier
26:39Well definitely Mark, I think that
26:41the point that I wanted to drive home and I think I got it
26:43and thanks for the opportunity to make that point
26:45I think that when they spoke
26:47about bringing
26:49that anti-terrorism lens
26:51to assist in fighting gangs
26:53I think that I do not want
26:55the authorities to overlook
26:57the need for investigative
26:59powers under the anti-terrorism act
27:01it's a very strong piece of legislation
27:03so I think it was important to make that
27:05call and just not only look
27:07to classify gangs that may be
27:09posing a threat to public safety
27:11but look at how do we strengthen
27:13law enforcement to be able to match
27:15those gangs that are threatening public safety and security
27:17and
27:19last but not least in terms of
27:21where the penalties under the anti-terrorism
27:23you're seeing that, why the penalties themselves
27:25may match anti-gang, you're seeing 25 years
27:27and 20 odd years on an average
27:29under the anti-terrorism
27:31you have things like millions of dollars
27:33in fine, so I think that what we may be
27:35looking at as well is
27:37bringing the sanctions
27:39where monies are concerned into the
27:41anti-terrorism as well, so that you have a
27:43situation where when you are treating with gangs
27:45you are directly going to impact
27:47the proceeds
27:49because let's be real
27:51the purpose of gang activity
27:53is because of the
27:55lucrative aspect of it, in terms of whether it be
27:57drug trafficking, firearm trafficking
27:59or even taking hits
28:01and we have seen as well
28:03even to compromise
28:05state officials for public
28:07contracts and that sort of thing, so I just wanted
28:09to make sure that we
28:11look at this particular area, I think it's
28:13an excellent move, it's an excellent start
28:15brilliant thinking, but I just wanted to make the point
28:17as well that we already have within
28:19our legal framework, the opportunity
28:21to exploit by virtue of
28:23the scheduled offences under the anti-gang
28:25speaks to terrorism, so we
28:27are, in my respect with you, already advanced
28:29in that sort of thinking
28:31Alright, Acting Sgt Ali, thanks for that
28:33enlightening piece of information there
28:35We're going to take a short break and we'll be back, stay with us
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32:40Welcome back to Beyond The Tape. My name is
32:42Mark Bausand and it's Legally Speaking
32:44Wednesdays and with us today is the acting
32:46Sgt. Zahir Ali, attorney-at-law
32:48of the Trinidad and Tobago
32:50Police Service, and of course
32:52we continue with
32:54our segment, The Voice of the People
32:56our eleventh installment, As
32:58as we spoke to persons in and around the capital city.
33:21Mr. Brown, have you ever been a victim of crime in this country?
33:24No.
33:25What's your thoughts on the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago?
33:41What would you suggest or recommend?
33:56Charlotte Street and from Prince Street, Queen Street, going backward, right?
34:01I think, in my estimation, they should have foot police and foot soldiers, you know,
34:08in short pants, in athletic departments.
34:10So when these guys grab people's stuff and run in, they could stop it,
34:14particularly up to 7 o'clock, you know.
34:17So they work maybe 4 to 7 or whenever, whenever and shift.
34:20So once you have guys who could run on people and hold them with weapons,
34:24you know, that could sort of help.
34:27And not just in poor, but in other areas.
34:30In areas of difficulty, you know what I mean?
34:32Trinidad is too small, it's affecting the country psychologically, economically.
34:37A lot of people would like to come to Carnival and have a good time and free, you know.
34:42You come for entertainment, you know.
34:44So it's affecting the economy, yeah.
34:47Do you feel safe at home or when you come out of line,
34:52when you come out to work or do business?
34:54Well, I feel safe anyway because I work with God, you know.
34:59And I think what has to happen, has to happen, you know what I mean?
35:02I'm safe because, you know, you're out here so long in Trinidad and Tobago
35:06and you know from how it was before and how it is now.
35:09I don't see no reason for me to fear, you know.
35:12What do you do differently to safeguard yourself?
35:16Well, I just, nothing different, you know.
35:19My normal schedule, I haven't changed anything.
35:21I just work positive, you know what I mean?
35:23You know, I don't go in an area that I don't have to go, you know.
35:27So I don't do anything specific, you know.
35:30I believe, I read, I believe what is to happen will happen.
35:33I'm not afraid about anything because I know how you're to go, you're to go.
35:39Accident, incident or natural causes, that's my belief.
35:42No fear, you know.
35:45What do you think makes people's sons want to become a criminal in this country?
35:50Well, a lot of factors, right?
35:52Trinidadians are copycats.
35:54They look at situations abroad and they imitate it.
35:58Also, the weakness of the father, the absence of the father in a home.
36:03Make a lot of, the absence of the father in a home and the unreal fathers, you know.
36:08Guys young, they're just having children, they can't guide them.
36:11The mother young, no experience.
36:13So you need fathers like in Middle East who, hey, you can get licking, you know.
36:18You know, they take away rights from you.
36:21But lack of fathers, lack of mature fathers and mature mother, you know.
36:27Do you think there's a connection between crime and poverty in Trinidad and Tobago?
36:33Of course, you know, of course.
36:35Some people have to hustle, you know what I mean?
36:38And when they can't hustle, after getting bored of hustling, they might take a quick away, you know.
36:43So I think it's important, you know.
36:44Poverty always make the man think, well, what's now?
36:47I ain't have no food on the table, I have to marry my family, so I have to go and look for it, you know.
36:51So there's a lot of factors, you know.
36:53A lot of factors that cause crime.
36:56But in Trinidad, you know, I think the military people need to work a little harder.
37:01Get a little more respect, you know.
37:03And when you come out and you put 24 hours on, you'll be serious.
37:06Don't be part of the situation, you know.
37:08Don't be part of the situation, you know.
37:11Then you'll get respect, you know.
37:13How would you rate the effectiveness of the Trinidad and Tobago police service in fighting crime?
37:18Well, I think generally, the police service is good.
37:22Generally, you just have some rotten apples that you need to get rid of.
37:27So I think generally, the military is good.
37:31But the management of the military just needs to up.
37:34We have good military, we got fellows who seriously care about the country, you know.
37:39And it's just the effectiveness of the military.
37:43But I think I'll give the military 80 to 85 percent, you know.
37:48And 10 percent might be just, you know, which you'll find in any part of the world, you know.
37:53I think Trinidad is a good place.
37:55And once the politicians do what they're supposed to do and start playing politics, you know.
38:00Country first before politics, then everything could improve, you know.
38:03Definitely.
38:05Yeah.
38:06If you see something, would you say something?
38:09Depending on where I see it, you understand.
38:12Because you got to be smart, you know.
38:14You got to be smart.
38:15Because when you say something, according to the person and the environment, somebody could come, you understand.
38:20So you got to be smart and intelligent, you know.
38:22You can't get hurt for nothing, you know.
38:25You give your opinion about certain things and your opinion, everybody is entitled to their opinion.
38:31But in terms of making a particular choice that is dangerous to you and your family, it doesn't make sense.
38:37Because the situation is not changing.
38:39I live abroad, you know.
38:41I see cities, you know.
38:44I travel all over the world, you know.
38:46So we have to put in the hard work here.
38:48We need hard work.
38:49We need more people who are for the country, you know.
38:54Who are not just talking and politics.
38:56Because we're one.
38:57Black, white, Indian, we're one, Trinidadians.
39:00And when we look at that and start playing politics, then things will improve.
39:06All right.
39:07You know, he seems old school there, but he knows a lot of your comments.
39:12Well, Mark, again, you know, these things really touch me in terms of seeing members of the public, you know.
39:17I think that was an all-around perspective.
39:19And I see you have taken Beyond the Tape, you know, beyond the walls of TV6.
39:24You know, you have taken it into the public domain.
39:26Yes.
39:27You know, I must salute you and Beyond the Tape, and by extension, the executive of TV6, you know, for embarking and, you know, listening to members of the public.
39:35But one thing I will take from that all-around perspective, you see that concern that you ask him if he sees something, if he'll say something.
39:43And, you know, he answered truthfully in terms of being concerned for his safety and security.
39:47And I think that for law enforcement, you know, as a society, I think this is if we want to measure our productivity and our success.
39:55This is where we want to be in a position, at least, you know, from where I stand.
39:59When we ask members this question and the citizenry, that they'll be excited to say, of course, because they trust in law enforcement that something will be done and there will be no repercussions.
40:09So I hope that the day will come very soon that members of the public will be, that narrative will be, you know, reshaped to be saying, yes, of course, I reported.
40:20And, you know, it's interesting because during speaking to people, there was a gentleman that we engaged in a conversation for about 15 minutes.
40:30He did not appear on camera, but he had a lot to say.
40:33And I think his responses were shaped by the fact that he was telling me he had some really bad experiences as a victim of crime.
40:42Yes.
40:43And he would have made reports and so on.
40:45But because it seemed that in the first instance, a road accident where somebody who was well known by the police in his area in East Trinidad.
40:53Yes.
40:54And they were wrong with a truck and so on, a company.
40:57And he never got anywhere.
40:59And then he had another incident of breaking at his home.
41:01And so it left a very bitter taste in his mouth.
41:05And I think he spoke along the lines of that trust, that eroded trust.
41:11And, you know, I tried to convince him to speak his mind on camera, but he preferred not to.
41:16But I understand now why he felt the way he did.
41:20Well, again, Mark, and you have identified that, you know, having had a, you know, quote unquote, a bad experience, you know, that may have impacted, you know, the trust and confidence.
41:29And hence why I gravitate towards that perspective.
41:32That that is where I would like us, you know, to use as the measuring stick when members of the public find the opportunity to say, yes, I will report it.
41:42Or, you know, you don't have to be, you know, pleading that if they see infractions, if they see contravention, they'll be excited, you know, to call TTPS, TTDF, or even the media to say, listen, something is happening and we need to get an intervention.
41:57All right. We're going to take your calls, but we're going to take a break now.
42:00And when we come back, we'll take your calls.
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46:19Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
46:21I'm your host, Mark Bassan.
46:22It's Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
46:24With us today is of course,
46:26Sergeant Suheel Ali,
46:28of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
46:30I think we have a call in line.
46:32Caller, good evening.
46:33Good evening.
46:34Good evening, Mr. Mark Bassan and Sergeant Ali.
46:37Good evening, sir.
46:38Sergeant Ali, I'm going to bully you today.
46:42And I'm going to be very, very discreet.
46:45Have you been conferred with your Masters in Law?
46:51Because I know there was an issue with transcript.
46:55And I would have liked to be in that meeting
46:58when those people sat at that deliberation to make that decision.
47:05But let me go to the real issue I have.
47:08Trust is two ways.
47:11You have to have trust in me, that is the TTPF,
47:14and I have to have trust in you.
47:17We had a scathing attack on one of the executives
47:21in a recent promotional issue.
47:24We have a number of your executives
47:27have had scathing attacks by judgment.
47:32I want to know how the police is doing
47:38the disciplinary protocol for that.
47:41So you cannot have an executive that is questionable
47:46making decisions for me to have confidence in it.
47:50So I am looking to see within the next two or three weeks
47:53what corrective action and what preventive action
47:57the police service itself basically does
48:01and the police service commission.
48:05That is the first step.
48:10All right, Kola. Thanks a lot.
48:12I think we might have lost you. Go ahead.
48:13Thank you very much, Kola.
48:15Mark, members of the public may know, some may not know,
48:18the issue involving my Master's in Law.
48:20I did apply for the Office of Deputy Commissioner of Police
48:23a couple of years ago.
48:26I have now completed my Master's
48:28but was not in possession of the actual certificate.
48:31I attended my transcript.
48:33Unfortunately, the police service commission did not accept.
48:38That is a matter that is before the court.
48:40But at this present point in time, for the public,
48:43based on the question, I am in possession of a Master's in Law
48:46with distinction, humbly so.
48:48I just want to respond to Kola.
48:50Kola was in fact a Yorker.
48:53Thankfully, I had the opportunity to deal with many in the past.
48:59I hope that I dealt with yours properly.
49:01But those issues mark in relation to his statements
49:05in terms of executive officers who are in the public light
49:10with reference to alleged, or I should say allegations,
49:15to keep it short.
49:17Again, we are governed by rule of law
49:19and I know that there are offices and institutions
49:22that are well positioned to be able to treat and deal with those issues.
49:25So I won't say no more because I don't want to be prejudicial.
49:28But again, it is very much a live mark
49:31where members of the public, they are following, they are reading,
49:35they are asking for transparency and accountability.
49:37I think that must be saluted and acknowledged.
49:40So it's important for the institutions and the various offices
49:43to ensure that they continue to hold the respective offices
49:48or institutions, as the case may be, not only in the TTPS
49:51but across the public sector to account
49:54and to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times.
49:57Thank you very much, Kola, for your submissions.
49:59Thanks a lot for that, Kola.
50:00We just wanted to take a quick video involving police intercepting
50:05a vehicle, a Nissan Tida motor car sometime within the last day or two.
50:12We're not really familiar with the actual circumstances
50:20as to why the vehicle might have been intercepted.
50:23We understand it's in the Piti Valley area.
50:26It's darkly tinted, of course.
50:28We believe it's in the Western Division and it's darkly tinted.
50:33I don't know if they got a tip of some sort
50:35that a vehicle matching this make and model
50:39might have been involved in some activities
50:44that might be sometime before this.
50:47Well, again, Mark, while I don't have any specifics
50:50with reference to this particular video,
50:52what I can say is that we are in a public emergency.
50:54And under the public emergency,
50:56the powers are afforded to the police and the defense force
51:00to be able to engage vehicles that are acting suspicious,
51:03or I should say the occupants acting suspiciously
51:05or maybe conveying illegal contraband, firearm, ammunition, dangerous drug.
51:11I may go as far as to say if persons are kidnapped
51:14and you believe that the kidnapped victim may be in the vehicle,
51:16you have the opportunity to engage the vehicle
51:18to prevent crime or detect crime as the case may be.
51:21But again, a simple case of you contravening the tint regulations
51:27can cause you to be engaged,
51:29to be able to determine exactly who is the occupants of that vehicle,
51:33whether in fact persons who are wanted by the police
51:35who are not standing warrants or persons who may be suspected of crime.
51:38So that situation can take many different angles.
51:41But members of the public,
51:43let us ensure that we comply with the direction of police officers.
51:48And yesterday, Mark, I think it's important for me to make mention,
51:50you all commended when the head of the Special Victims Unit,
51:54you all showed a video where a motorist was engaging a licensing office.
51:59And you all were quite right in terms of the diplomacy
52:03and I also want to recognize the licensing officer.
52:06But equally important, I want to also acknowledge the motorist.
52:10Because the motorist, in my respective view,
52:13made the situation one that was favorable to both parties
52:16where it appeared that he was taking the time to understand what is happening.
52:20He was compliant.
52:22He was asking questions.
52:23And I think it's a perfect, perfect engagement.
52:27And I think if we have the opportunity in moving forward,
52:29probably next week, that we show that particular excerpt again
52:33to ensure that members of the public see exactly,
52:35and the law enforcement officials as well,
52:37what should be a reasonable engagement with members of the public.
52:41But I thought it was important to highlight that as well.
52:43All right. Thanks so much for that input.
52:45We're going to take a short break and we'll be back. Stay with us.
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55:47Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
55:48I'm your host, Marc Bessant.
55:49Of course, today it's Legally Speaking Wednesdays
55:51and we're joined by Attorney-at-Law Acting Sgt. Zahir Alley
55:55of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
55:57And we quickly just want to remind you of those carnival permits.
56:02The deadline.
56:03Band leaders and drivers of truck trailers are reminded
56:05to collect their carnival permits.
56:07Collection can be done at the office of the Assistant Commission of Police,
56:10Specialized Support Level 5, Riverside Plaza, Port of Spain.
56:14The deadline for collection is 4 p.m. on Friday, 28th of February.
56:19Remember, without a permit, you will not be allowed
56:21to operate your vehicle during the carnival period.
56:25Well, Marc, just to follow on what you have just read,
56:28I just want to emphasize the importance of members of the public
56:32getting the opportunity to read the Carnival Regulations 2025.
56:37I think it's important for us to be aware
56:41of the conduct, what you say, matters that are prohibited
56:47during the carnival period to ensure that you are not caught within the law.
56:51Breach of the Carnival Regulations can lead you to both a fine
56:55and a jail sentence for a period of six months.
56:58So there is a penalty that is associated with any contravention.
57:01So please read and just peruse that particular regulation
57:05so you know how to move about and how to conduct yourself.
57:09And equally, the glass bottles, the prohibition order
57:12in relation to glass bottles during a particular period,
57:14during the carnival weekend.
57:16So I want you all just to pay attention to that.
57:19Very, very serious matters.
57:21And Marc, may I take this opportunity as well?
57:23I received some intelligence.
57:24I'd like to, on behalf of both of us,
57:26to recognize an avid supporter of Beyond the Tape, Ms. Small.
57:32May God continue to guide you, bless you,
57:35so too all other persons who continue to support Beyond the Tape
57:40and the work of Beyond the Tape.
57:41Yeah, most certainly.
57:42And I just want to just, I guess, reiterate some of the things you have said
57:47and also to remind people to exercise that caution.
57:52We're in a week of arrival of reverie and so on,
57:56and people tend to get carried away consuming alcohol or whatever it might be.
58:02So we want to encourage people to be safe
58:04and be mindful of the children that are out there.
58:06Parents are also supposed to be responsible in terms of ensuring
58:10that you look after your kids and they don't get lost and so forth.
58:15Well, Marc, I'm happy that you raised that.
58:17And thanks for reminding me.
58:18Children, and I know that the Children's Authority would have sent out notices
58:21and other entities would have spoken about the importance of protecting our nation's children.
58:26And I just want to close this afternoon by ensuring and emphasizing
58:30that we act responsibly where our children are concerned.
58:33I think there is no event, no fact, that is more important
58:37than the life and well-being of our children.
58:39They are our responsibility.
58:41And if there's one thing you should be doing, it's protecting them.
58:44All right, well said.
58:46Okay, remember, repeat tonight at 11.30.
58:48We run tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
58:51I want to wish you all a very happy carnival.
58:55Please, please be safe on the roads.
58:57Be safe anywhere you go.
58:59And of course, remember, we'll see you next Thursday.
59:02That's next Thursday.
59:04Stay tuned. The TV6 News is up next.
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