With police related shootings of concern in this country, the three-thousand body cams that were procured through Diamonds Systems Limited last year by former commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher were expected to help in greater transparency of police officers involved in police related shootings. But the contract seems to have been cancelled by present Commissioner of Police Alister Guevarro who said very little about the matter to the media on Monday.
00:00There are some issues with regards to body cams right now in the TTPS that are being addressed outside of this environment, and when time is appropriate, I will address that.
00:09This was the response of Commissioner of Police Alistair Guevara when asked to comment about the cancellation of a $25 million contract that had been procured by former Commissioner Euler here with Christopher in August last year with the company Diamonds Systems and Supplies Limited.
00:25In an exclusive express story today, the TTPS rescinded its decision to follow up on the $25 million contract that had been awarded to the company by Heywood Christopher for 3,000 body cams.
00:37In a brief one-page letter written by the TTPS Legal Services to Diamonds Director Hashim Mohamed, they said they were not willing to pay the U.S. $3.6 million or the U.S. $440,000 for port fees in China where the body cams were being housed, and frankly said they were not inclined to pay the requisite sums demanded following the threat of legal action by the company earlier this year.
01:00This was a far cry from the TTPS's stance in late July when they wrote to Diamonds Systems and Supplies Limited, stating, open quote,
01:08We are instructed that approval has been granted for the payment regarding the supply of body-worn cameras, and upon receipt of further instructions, we endeavor to communicate same with you, close quote.
01:20The TTPS also asked the company to hold its hand on any intended legal action.
01:24The need for an increased number of body-worn cameras has become more critical following several police-related shootings last year and this year.
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