A new report from the Police Complaints Authority is shedding light on the challenges facing migrant communities in Trinidad and Tobago — and offering a bold "Blueprint for Oversight that Listens."
The findings reveal gaps in access, language support, and accountability — and propose sweeping reforms to improve police oversight for vulnerable migrants.
Our reporter, Urvashi Tiwari Roopnarine, has this report.
00:00For years, Trinidad and Tobago has seen a significant rise in migrant arrivals, particularly Venezuelans, many seeking refuge and opportunity, but navigating the system is not always easy.
00:13The Police Complaints Authority, tasked with investigating serious police misconduct, has now published an in-depth report examining its work with migrant complaints between 2017 and 2025.
00:27Titled Blueprint for Oversight that Listens, the report reviews 28 cases, including both closed and ongoing investigations involving allegations ranging from unlawful searches and harassment to fatal police shootings.
00:44It took the authority generally between 6 and 10 months to close investigations.
00:49Central Trinidad features as the location where most investigations took place and the very least occurring in Port of Spain and western areas.
00:59The report shows that while the PCA has strengthened its capacity, including expanding Spanish language services, offering real-time translation and introducing cultural fluency training for investigators, challenges remain.
01:13Key findings include disengagement. Many migrant complainants withdraw due to fair lack of follow-up or leaving the country, leaving cases unresolved.
01:24Language and access barriers. Despite extended translation services, some complaints close without resolution due to communication challenges.
01:34Delays. Several serious cases remain open for over two years, hampered by inter-agency delays.
01:41Gaps in accountability. Some incidents of misconduct did not result in referrals for disciplinary action, despite credible concerns.
01:50The PCA's report proposes a 10-point action plan, including formalizing trauma-informed investigation protocols,
01:58expanding migrant-facing outreach through NGOs and community partnerships,
02:03introducing a case-tracking system so complainants can follow their matter,
02:07creating a dedicated migrant navigation desk to guide complainants through investigations,
02:14setting up an internal migrant case review panel to examine all non-referrals involving migrants.
02:21Deputy Director of the PCA Michelle Solomon-Bach says the reforms aim to make oversight more inclusive, accessible and responsive.
02:29She says, quote,
02:30The report also positions the PCA as a potential regional leader advocating a model of oversight that can be replicated across the Caribbean.
02:53For migrants navigating complex legal processes, the report calls for stronger protections,
02:59better communication and sustained engagement beyond the complaint stage.
03:03The blueprint for oversight that listens offers a roadmap not only for TNT but for the wider region,
03:10highlighting how independent oversight can evolve to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
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