President of the Prison Officers' Association of Trinidad and Tobago Gerard Gordon says the attempted murder of prison officer Govindra Balgobin last week Friday symbolises that the country is in crisis.
00:00President of the Prison Officers Association, Gerard Gordon, says there are societal issues that are affecting the way the public sees prison officers.
00:09He says there are those who blame prison officers for attacks on their lives, justifying the criminal behavior, as there's a small percentage of rogue prison officers in the service.
00:20However, he says this is not justification for the murder on any prison officer.
00:25The association president says it is time prison officers are given the chance to defend themselves on and off the job.
00:55Why are we at this point where people have applied years ago and nothing seems to be happening?
01:04He is calling on the relevant authorities to provide better working conditions for his officers.
01:09I want to reiterate that Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act that we have been speaking about.
01:15We have been speaking about the failing infrastructure of the prison service.
01:21We have no cameras in implementation of body cams within the prison walls.
01:28You're talking about stab-proof vests, bulletproof vests, vehicles.
01:33The entire system is buckling under the pressure of being under-resourced.
01:43Gordon told TV6 that Officer Balglobin is in need of blood.
01:47Mr Balglobin needs blood.
01:50And anybody who is willing to donate or give blood, please, we are asking that you do so.
02:01And you can feel free to then contact myself at 280-6504 or the Prison Officers Association cell number 3966181
02:16for us to be able to collect those slips and get them to the hospital.
02:23Last week Friday around 8.20 a.m., gunmen opened a fire on the officer's vehicle
02:29just after he got off work at the maximum security prison.
02:33The attack has been condemned by many including the prison service,
02:37the Prison Officers Association and the police service.
02:41Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
02:46On the way down is a111.
02:47Felix Head of fallen people is around 18.20 a.m., in lockdown.
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