The Guard and Emergency Branch took top honours in the March Past competition at the Police Service's Sports Day. Among those celebrating was a former Senior Superintendent of Police, now serving at the Ministry of Homeland Security. But questions remain: will the elite units once envisioned by the previous administration become a reality? Juhel Browne reports.
00:00At the Police Services 2025 Sports Day, Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin took a moment to commend the officers under his command.
00:08For the past four months, we have been under great challenges. Nevertheless, because of a great level of resilience and commitment to duty, as a police service, we have overcome great odds. I think you should put your hands together for yourself.
00:33Among the specially invited guests at the Police Services Sports Day was Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander, who joined in the celebration of the winners of the March past competition, the Guard and Emergency Branch.
00:47And what does the Acting Commissioner think of the former police officer now serving as Homeland Security Minister?
00:53We really want to wish him all the best. I think that he has joined the ranks of many noble officers and he has stood out. And we just want to wish him all the best. And we are here to support him as he's trying to make a police service.
01:08The Homeland Security Minister said his first week on the job was good, but surprising. He explained what he meant by surprising.
01:15In many ways, you know, sometimes you hear things, but you didn't know things until you actually observe things.
01:21TV6 News also asked about specialized police units that had been formed over the years, including those formed under the previous administration.
01:32Is that something that could be expected in this term of the UNC government, new or specialized units?
01:39Elite units was the term that the last government used.
01:42Well, we have we have we will continue in that vein and we will continue to work with the minister, even as we continue to bring safety and security.
01:54What we do is to ensure that in everything that Trinidad and Tobago comes first.
02:00And therefore, as the police service, with the great men and women that you see standing around me, the operators, the team and the decisions that we make,
02:07we make it collectively and we make it in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:11As for the appointment of a new police commissioner, that will be discussed at a different level.
02:18You know, and we have a group of persons here who can do the job quite well, so it should not be an issue.
02:25The appointment of a new police commissioner begins with the work of the police service commission,
02:29which sends an order of merit list to the president, who then forwards that list to the House of Representatives.
02:36The government's majority in the lower house is sufficient for approval.
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