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01:02On the issue of body cameras, he disclosed that a contract was withdrawn partly because of questionable pricing.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.
03:45Alexander Brouswell, TV6 News.
03:47Alexander Brouswell, TV6 News.
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