Even as 30 officers were commended for their exemplary service during the State of Emergency, and three others were promoted, the Police Commissioner took the time to address several pressing issues facing the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service — from the ongoing investigation into one of his top deputies, to equipment upgrades, schools policing, and even the cancellation of this year's Independence Day parade.
00:00Commissioner of Police Alistair Guevara confirmed that the investigation into allegations against Deputy Commissioner Suzette Martin remains active.
00:08So, that was the first act of transparency of my leadership, in that we received a report and we came to the public and informed them about the report.
00:21And just as in all cases, the TTPS stands ready to be able to investigate itself.
00:30An investigator was appointed, and that investigation is still ongoing.
00:35Martin, who was present at the ceremony, did not comment.
00:39She currently heads the TTPS Operations Unit after a recent shake-up within the executive of the TTPS.
00:46She takes over from DCP Junior Benjamin.
00:49Shifting focus, Guevara also provided updates on officer safety equipment.
00:54So, we have recently acquired 3,500 bulletproof vests, which we have begun distributing to our frontline officers.
01:02On the issue of body cameras, he disclosed that a contract was withdrawn partly because of questionable pricing.
01:09I can't remember the exact cost off the top of my head, but I can't pay $8,000 for a body cam when I can see it selling elsewhere for $2,000 or $3,000.
01:19Does that make any sense? No business sense whatsoever.
01:22The commissioner said that the TTPS is currently auditing its stock of devices, redeploying functional ones to officers,
01:30and will soon restart procurement through the OPR.
01:34Guevara also turned attention to the school's policing program, saying it was still too early to measure its impact,
01:42but pointed to positive examples of officer and student interactions.
01:46It's a little too early to speak about review of the program.
01:52I did, in fact, feel very happy when I saw not only that one video with the officer playing badminton,
01:58there was another one where a male officer was assisting a male student in fixing a tie.
02:03So, it shows the softer side of policing.
02:07He added that the presence of police officers in schools was meant primarily as a deterrent and for first response.
02:13Police officers were not placed in schools for any particular reason other than being a deterrent.
02:23First line of response and detection for those who decide not to obey the laws of the land.
02:30He said benchmarks for success would be reviewed after longer intervals and confirmed that two schools in Tobago were added to the program this week.
02:54Finally, the commissioner addressed the government's decision to cancel the annual Independence Day Parade,
03:00stressing that the TTPS played no role in the move.
03:03I cannot say that any threat to government ministers led to the cancellation of the Independence Day Parade.
03:13I can't say that at all because I had no power whatsoever to cancel the Independence Day Parade.
03:18That question better be posed to the persons who had the authority to cancel the Independence Day Parade.
03:23He said neither he nor his executive team had any control over the decision,
03:29but he also confirmed that threats to public officials were real and were being investigated.
03:35The government in the past has explained that the parade was replaced with a national day of prayer and reflection,
03:41citing intelligence gathered during the state of emergency.
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