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00:30Beyond the Tape, we'll be back after these messages.
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03:36Welcome to Beyond the Tape.
03:39I'm your host, Mark Bassand.
03:40Welcome to our viewers across Trinidad and Tobago.
03:43Of course, our international viewers and our brothers and sisters in the eyes of Grenada.
03:48It's Friday and what an interesting Friday it has been.
03:53We've had some inclement weather over the last couple of hours, of course, causing some flooding in and around the Port of Spain area.
04:00And causing massive traffic as well.
04:05And then there were also other developments over the last couple of hours, considering the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
04:14You know, connected possibly, you know, to other events outside of Trinidad and Tobago.
04:21You're seeing here, because the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force and our circular, that was issued just after lunch, following a meeting with the commanding officer and several senior officers.
04:33Nine staff sergeants and four commanding officers of the respective battalions in Komoto, Long Circular, Shagaramus, and Long Circular.
04:51Yeah, there you have it.
04:52So all personnel active in duty 4500, they were all instructed to report to the various bases over the next, well, by at least six, which is now.
05:09And, you know, also the police have also sent out a circular indicating to all officers that all leave has been suspended.
05:20And, of course, that gentleman who would have sent out that release is standing right next to me.
05:26None other than DCP Junior Benjamin of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
05:31Welcome.
05:31I know you have had a very busy, packed day.
05:35Yes, Mark.
05:36I tell you, it was really, it is very interesting.
05:41But nevertheless, it's good to be here.
05:43And even to share with the audience, you know, all those that are listening.
05:47And, you know, I think that, you know, it's important that we, before we even hear or even share information, that we get it from a good source.
05:57So, again, there's no better source than beyond the tip because we can at least share some proper information so that persons could be edified.
06:06Well, I know there was a meeting, well, the seniors of the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force, and they would have sent out a release, some internal thing to their officers.
06:16And I know that you also had a top-level meeting with other executive members and other seniors.
06:24And what can you tell us?
06:25I know the reasoning behind the suspension of leave and, of course, all SRPs as well also asked to come out and leave has also been suspended until further notice.
06:37So, first of all, I'm grateful for the question.
06:41And I can say, you know, the Commissioner of Police having, again, looked at the situation, we are always allowing the media, you know, to also gauge the things that we do
06:55because we want to ensure at all times that the security temperature within Trinidad and Tobago is one that is well-controlled.
07:03And having, you know, looked at the media releases and all the articles that are out there, the Commissioner of Police, we sat down as an executive
07:13and we were able to make some decisions.
07:16And one of those decisions, as just a precautionary measure, was to at least suspend any further leave from persons.
07:26We are not calling out anyone.
07:28At this time, we are basically just ensuring that we stop any further leave so that, you know, even in the event of all that is happening,
07:37we want to ensure that we have a proper management of our human resource so that we can be more effective as a police service
07:45as we look into the windscreen of our future.
07:48Right. Now, one of the things that I understand, the conditionalities of this suspension of leave,
07:54some of the things I understand that was sent out to the various police stations, sections, units with immediate effect
08:00and continuing is that patrols are to be instituted in your areas of supervision.
08:05The patrols must be armed and the particular, sorry, of these patrols must be called out to the,
08:11and keeping with service policies, these patrols must report to the Central Division every half hour.
08:18These patrols must pay attention to all ports of entry in their areas of supervision, including all coastal areas,
08:24fishing villages, waterways where persons may enter, shopping areas and areas of supervision regards to looters
08:31and pay attention to critical infrastructure, hospitals, government buildings, etc.
08:37And I'm saying that that is nothing unusual because there is a security posture,
08:46even as we go through an SOE, that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will adopt.
08:53And therefore, what you're hearing there is nothing unusual.
08:56Even when I was in charge for not too long, I think for about seven days or so, again, we took up that same posture.
09:06And we saw nothing happen, but it is a security posture that you take to ensure at all times that the security of the nation is priority.
09:16So, therefore, you would want to ensure at all times that if you are taking up that posture that the areas of concern are the areas that you want to look at.
09:28So, obviously, your utilities, your, you know, the waterways, all these things.
09:33And we are just encouraging our officers and the divisional commanders are there, you know,
09:38also reinforcing it that we want to see that our stations are safe.
09:43So, you're going to see where we access sentries to be, you know, on alert and that we have sentries there to ensure that right around the clock that the station is well protected as well.
09:54And that kind of posture is nothing unusual.
09:56It is what we will do to ensure greater safety and security for ourselves, for our officers, as well as we are doing it for the nation so that you're going to see that we are also protecting persons and also even key areas that we believe is of great concern to Trinidad and Tobago.
10:16So, this security posture, it's interesting with posture and, of course, the Army would have said that and they're calling out the persons that there's a particular state posture, level one.
10:30Is it true to, can we infer from what you've just told me that perhaps with the extension of the state of emergency, that forms part of that security posture?
10:41And I'm saying definitely, when we look at the present scenario that is before us, the fact that we are going to, at least, you know, from all indication, see an extension of the SOE,
11:00what we are saying is that we cannot do things as how it was before.
11:04It has to be done with a greater level of security, with a greater mindset that speaks to that level of safety and security of our utilities, of our people.
11:17And, therefore, I cannot show you an answer, big one.
11:18Let's be fair.
11:20I think with all that people are hearing, you know, it is important that we don't discard that people are going to feel that level of anxiety.
11:29And we are saying, yes, even if you feel that level of anxiety, it is important that, first of all, you ensure that the information that you're getting is from a verified source.
11:39And, therefore, we want to encourage persons to ensure that, you know, the source that you're getting it, even before you share it, because the more we share negative news, it's just going to create greater fear.
11:50But we want you to operate from a place of facts.
11:53So, therefore, we are saying make sure that it is a verified source before you share information.
11:58So, as far as you can tell us, DCP, and to the public, not just to me, but to Trinidad and Tobago, there is no specific threat.
12:06This is just a precautionary measure, a security posturing, yes?
12:09Yes, and I would say, especially for that of the police service, which is what I can speak here on, that we are taking this as one where we are really seeking to err on the side of caution.
12:23And we want to ensure safety of our citizens, of everything we see at this stage.
12:30This is where the police, we are the ones to ensure safety of even the properties that is within the current Tobago.
12:38And, therefore, we are going to ensure that we do that with enough manpower at this time.
12:42And, therefore, what we are doing is really for safety and security of all.
12:45All right. Thanks a lot, DCP Benjamin.
12:48Of course, our Prime Minister, Kamala Pesad-Bissar, also shedding some light rather earlier outside Parliament.
12:56Let's take a listen.
12:57So, when it comes on my desk, or this phone, this phone, I've seen nothing on that soldier.
13:03And I get a lot of messages.
13:05So, if there's a situation that arises, we will deal with it.
13:09We've seen the reports.
13:11I've also seen where President Trump is saying something different.
13:14So, again, there's a lot of speculation, not just here, not locally, everywhere.
13:19I mean, it's a situation that really demands everybody's attention.
13:23We will keep our eyes and ears peeled and act when we see it's appropriate.
13:28We are not sitting ducks, as we see here.
13:30We might be getting rain, but we're not sitting ducks in the rain.
13:34And we have been receiving intelligence reports.
13:37And, thus far, I have none when there's an imminent strike anywhere in the region.
13:41I will say, be calm.
13:44There's nothing to fear at this time.
13:45I cannot predict the future.
13:47But on my cards, on my books, there's nothing to fear.
13:50But we're going this morning, this afternoon, Parliament, to extend the state of emergency.
13:55The data shows us clearly that it has worked as an instrument.
13:58It's not the cure-all, it's not the fallacy, but it is.
14:01It has worked.
14:02Murders are down.
14:03Other serious crimes are down.
14:05And this is why, based on recommendations from the police, we want to extend the state of emergency.
14:10The Prime Minister, Kamala Pesabisa, is saying there's nothing to worry about.
14:15And, of course, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs sent out a release this afternoon
14:20indicating the government of Trinidad and Tobago notes the current heightened sense of anxiety
14:25and concern in the national community based on false news reports suggesting that there will be
14:32an imminent change in the status of the national and regional security environment.
14:36Of course, they go on to indicate that, in addition, the Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs,
14:41on behalf of the government of Trinidad and Tobago, is in active contact with the Embassy
14:45of the United States of America in Port of Spain.
14:48And based on the information received, there is no need for the population to be concerned.
14:52All citizens are therefore urged to remain calm.
14:56So, of course, I want to say that TV6 and the Express has not in any way connected the actions of the police
15:03or the army to this particular report or reports that emanated out of Trinidad and Tobago.
15:11And I think, DCP Benjamin, you are familiar.
15:14The Miami Herald did send out a report sometime around mid-morning online
15:20indicating that they had information that the U.S. government was planning strikes against Venezuela
15:28in possibly a couple hours or over the next couple of days.
15:33And I think that morphed and it sat with a lot of persons here in Trinidad and Tobago.
15:40Yeah, and I think that once you hear these news, there is something about using the word negative news.
15:49It just spreads very fast.
15:51And that's why I'm saying it's very important that we be very careful with the information that we spread.
15:56And that news has been going wrong.
15:59And I think most people started to panic because I hear people panic buying.
16:06They're doing a lot of things.
16:07But I think that we want persons to understand that we need to ensure that we operate based on the facts.
16:15And the facts that we have before us is that when we check our intelligence at this point in time,
16:21we are saying that there is no intelligence to support what we are seeing out there.
16:26And therefore, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, as a precautionary measure,
16:30has taken a certain stance just to ensure that we have the necessary manpower
16:34so that we can be able to deploy our officers, if need be, at all.
16:38This is Peter Benjamin.
16:40Of course, thanks for taking the time to address the public and clearing up any misunderstanding
16:44or any concerns that they may have.
16:46All right, it's Day 106 of the State of Emergency.
16:50We want to quickly bring you up to speed with the figures.
16:53Number of operations, 7,662.
16:56Target priority offenders, 2,591.
16:59Searches conducted, 50,658.
17:03Traffic operations, 5,158.
17:06Total persons arrested, 3,323.
17:10Traffic offenses detected, 30,756.
17:15Firearms recovered remains the same, 192.
17:18Ammunition recovered remains the same, 2,510 rounds.
17:21Dangerous drugs seized, 629,640.98 grams of cannabis.
17:29Of course, the same quantities remain for cocaine, estasy, and molly.
17:34DCP Benjamin.
17:35Yes, so first of all, I want to commend the DCP operations, DCP Suzette Martin,
17:43in terms of, you know, I passed on the battle, and again, like a bullet, she continues running
17:51a great leg.
17:52And what you're seeing here is that the Trinidad Tobego Police Service, we continue to be on,
17:58you know, the goal in terms of dealing with the crime situation.
18:02We recognize that it is important for us to have intelligence-led operations, and those
18:07intelligence-led operations is guiding us so that at least today we can testify.
18:13that we have 311 murders when compared to last year, around this time, 530.
18:21I want to say that again, 530.
18:23We are at 311.
18:26And this is because of the astute leadership of our Commission of Police, as well as the
18:32executive and our divisional commanders, along with the 1st and 2nd Division officers of the
18:39Trinidad Tobego Police Service.
18:40Let's not forget that we have sworn and unsworn officers or persons in the police service that
18:45also make some valid contribution to where we are.
18:48So we just want to really, first of all, thank God for what we've seen thus far.
18:53We will continue to be very vigilant.
18:55We are not satisfied.
18:57We still believe that we have 311 murders too much.
19:01But we are going to continue to push to ensure that we can reduce it as much as we can, as
19:07we seek to end the year strong.
19:10Yes.
19:10All right.
19:10Thanks a lot, DCP Benjamin.
19:12All right.
19:13Let's take a quick look now at our headlines.
19:44So those are some of the headlines over the last 24 hours.
19:50We're going to take a short break and when we get back, we'll have more.
19:52Stay with us.
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22:12Welcome back to Beyond the Tape.
22:13I'm your host, Mark Bassan, of course, joined today by DCB Junior Benjamin of the Trinidad
22:17and Tobago Police Service.
22:18And I know you have been quite vociferous over the last week about the school program and
22:25the police initiative there.
22:29You know, and I guess for those who might have missed it, if you can just give us an insight
22:33as to how successful the program has been since its incarnation in September.
22:38So, Mark, let me just start by just saying that the aim of the, at least the part that
22:45we play, which is what we call the school-oriented policing officers or unit, the aim here is
22:51to ensure that we work with the MTS as well as with the school safety officers so that we
22:59seek to strengthen and give a more supportive role in creating that safe and secure school
23:07environment so that our students would be able to at least have a safer environment and that
23:14they can learn well.
23:16And therefore, one of the key areas is that we recognize that there were a lot of fights
23:20that were taking place, you know, the last term.
23:23And therefore, what we've seen now is that even from the reviews, just recently I went
23:31to, I think, the Principals Association, they had their, I think, elections and so forth.
23:38So there was quite a number of principals there and the feedback is that there has been a reduction
23:44in the number of fights.
23:46Nevertheless, it is not that there are not fights.
23:49There are still fights that are going on in the schools.
23:52And I tell you, when you see those things, it really causes your heart to bleed because
23:56you kind of wonder what is happening with our students.
23:59But nevertheless, we are still encouraged that we have seen at least some slight form of
24:06dissipation in terms of the number of fights that we have recorded.
24:11So we are going to continue.
24:13And even what we're recognizing is that some of the principals are even asking for it to,
24:18for them to be added to the schools.
24:20So it means that they are seeing the value and the utility of having the police officers
24:26there at least to control and to create that greater level of security and response, you
24:33know, when something like that happens.
24:35So we are encouraged and we will continue to do our part to ensure greater safety and security
24:41within the schools.
24:41Is it feasible for you to kind of give us an idea of in terms of numbers, the breakdowns
24:47of, I mean, I guess.
24:49So, yeah, and I would love to do that.
24:53We are still seeking to gather the real-time information.
24:57And we are looking at least, you know, within the next, probably within the next two weeks
25:04or so to gather as much information.
25:06So I think the next time I come on, I will have some numbers to actually give you because
25:12what I have would only be probably in terms of some initial reports that was made and which
25:19was like 40 reports that we got.
25:21But I would want to compare that even to what we had last year.
25:26Right.
25:26So allow me to get some more facts on that and I'll be able to probably give you a more
25:34informed answer next time.
25:35All right.
25:36Thanks a lot, DCP, Benjamin.
25:37Of course, you know, I know as best as the police have been trying to do in the schools,
25:42you can't be everywhere at the same time.
25:45And we have a video clip to share of a fight in the Sister Isles of Tobago.
25:50So it appears, DCP, that there's at least three or four students involved and one of
25:57them seems to be armed with an object of some sort and striking a number of students who
26:02are opposing him.
26:04Yeah.
26:04And what we're seeing is that sometimes these things are, the fights are now moving from
26:10in the school to outside the school.
26:13You know what I'm saying?
26:14You know, and we are very much concerned when we see these things and we are really trying
26:22to, again, monitor.
26:24We are constantly monitoring where these fights are taking place and even persons that are involved.
26:31One of the key things that we try to do is to ensure that when we have incidents of this
26:38nature, that we capture the names of both the victims and the perpetrators.
26:44So that we are able to, again, have an intelligence-led intervention so that we will be able to know
26:52these persons who are repeat offenders and to see what could be done so that we can create
26:58what I call a more positive behavior response so that we can at least, you know, get some
27:06help for those persons so that they can become more productive citizens of China and Tobago.
27:10Now, the police is one of the key components in this mix in the schools, but do you think
27:17there's other things or other initiatives that you need to also help to keep in sync with
27:23what the police is doing, perhaps even things like conflict resolution and so on?
27:27And that is part and parcel of what we're bringing.
27:29We're not just going just to deal with the crime situation.
27:33We have the community-oriented policing where, and that's the overall unit under which the
27:39school-oriented policing unit, they operate.
27:43But within the community-oriented policing unit, we have conflict resolution and we have the
27:51officers going into the schools to meet with these persons that we recognize are habitual
27:57offenders. And we also have, even in some of our youth clubs, conflict resolution clinics
28:04that are able to deal with those persons with that behavior so that at the end of the day,
28:10it's a holistic approach that we are taking. And the Carolina Tobago Police Service, we continue
28:15to really try to embrace the youths, even through our youth clubs, by getting them more involved
28:23in more meaningful things.
28:26Now, hopefully, school fights will be a thing of the past in the not-too-distant future with
28:31the police presence and all the other support systems that are available through the Ministry
28:37of Education.
28:38And that's our prayer. We really hope that it could come sooner than later. But nevertheless,
28:43as long as it takes, we are going to remain focused to make sure that we bring that level
28:48of, you know, peace and tranquility within the schools so that it must be a place for learning
28:54and certainly not for fighting.
28:56Certainly. All right. We just want to search gears a little bit here. There's a robbery captured
29:02at a store. We're not sure of the location. And, you know, very early on in this video, DCP,
29:08Benjamin, there are three suspects with hoodies, jerseys over their heads. But there's a young
29:15boy in the corner right there, probably making a purchase. We've had to obviously consider his
29:22identity because he's a minor. And of course, he ran off. He was not hurt, thank God. But
29:29of course, the three persons, one appeared in the blue, they have some object in his hand
29:36as he walks in. And then, of course, they demand money, strikes the employee, and also help
29:44themselves to several bottles of alcohol.
29:48Yes. And this is very disturbing, to be quite honest. You recognize that the brazenness of
29:55persons, you know, to just walk in and they're acting like if this, you know, we own this.
30:02So they're taking on at the leisure. And we are saying, you know, payday is coming someday. You
30:08know, these are situations that if you want to make a police service, I tell you, we do not take it
30:13likely at all. We are going to deal with this very decisively. Once we are able to find, you know,
30:20the necessary evidence to prove, you know, or at least identify these individuals, we will do what we
30:28have to do to get to the bottom of it. And once we can find these pieces, we are going to ensure
30:32that at least they go before a competent court of jurisdiction where they would be able to be
30:40charged for these offenses.
30:41Yeah, same thing. So, of course, if you have any information about these individuals,
30:45you can call 800-TIPS or 999. And these guys left rather gingerly through the front door
30:51and rode off on bicycles. Even one of them is still holding a bottle while he's trying to ride
30:56that bicycle.
30:57Yeah, and that's to show you, you know, sometimes, you know, with very little impunity and remorse,
31:04you know, and these are the people when we, you know, seek to at least, you know, arrest them,
31:12they have a mentality that is either kill or be killed. And therefore, we are saying, you know,
31:19even to these persons that whenever you're faced, you know, or confronted by the police,
31:24please give yourself up because we're coming for you. And if you only seek to resist,
31:30we will do what is absolutely necessary to ensure that at the end of the day, you know,
31:35if there is one person standing, we'll be my officers because we will operate in accordance
31:40with the law and in accordance with our use of force policy.
31:43All right. We're going to take a short break. And when we come back, we'll take some of your calls.
31:47Stay with us.
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34:39Welcome back to Beyond the Tape. I'm your host, Mark Gossan. Of course, joined today by DCP,
34:43Junior Benjamin of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. We just want to remind you of the numbers
34:48to call 623-1711, extensions 1996 and 1997. So while we wait on your calls, of course, DCP has some
34:59interesting figures to share with us as it relates to serious reports of crime over the last year.
35:07Yes. So thank you so very much, Mark. We just want to say that when we look at our crime statistics, we are very much thankful in terms of what we have seen. We've seen a reduction, as I said, in terms of our murders, but we've also seen a reduction in terms of our woundings and shooting. Last year, we had 638. This year, we have 474. We also saw a reduction in what we call breaking offenses.
35:36Last year. Last year, we had 1361 against what we've seen now, 1047 this year. Also, in terms of robberies, we've just seen at least a clipping of a robbery, but we've seen a reduction in robberies where we had 2036 last year, around this time.
35:57Today, we can say we have only 1508. And lastly, I would probably just want to highlight that we have also seen a reduction in terms of larceny motor vehicle. And that was something that was trending last year in particular.
36:16While last year, we had 968. We have only 693 larceny motor vehicles. So it means that we have turned the tide in terms of our intelligence, giving us the necessary impetus to deal with these situations from a very strategic standpoint.
36:39And therefore, the operations that we have gone on over the, at least the beginning of the year to now, along with the, I guess, the SOE and all that we have learned so far, is showing that there is a positive turnaround.
36:52And for this, we are grateful. And we want to say that this could not be done without the support of the community and, you know, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
37:01So we want to thank the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for helping us, giving us the intelligence.
37:06And we are saying, continue to work with us as we seek to change and to transform the, you know, the security landscape of Trinidad and Tobago.
37:14So, that figure there of robberies, 2036 last year, comparatively up to this time this year, 1508.
37:25Now, we have about two months left in the year. We have Christmas coming.
37:30And I'm certainly would want to address those persons as, you know, you go about doing your shopping and so on,
37:38as the festivities start to ramp up as November begins into December.
37:43Yes, certainly. And we are saying, you know, one of the key things for us is that even, we believe that we could see a greater reduction in the type, in the crimes that we have.
37:53What we recognize is that people need to not make themselves soft targets because many times we go out there and thinking that, you know, it's okay, nobody's looking at us.
38:04And even when we go to the supermarket, we go with large sums of money.
38:08When we're paying, we're taking out this large money so that people could see and you're checking in front.
38:13We have to be more astute in terms of, as we go outside there, we want persons to know, be a hard target.
38:20You know, if it's possible, use your card and swipe if possible.
38:25And even as you go out there, please, we're still seeing quite a number of persons being caught by going online and wanting to sell vehicles and going to places that, again, something should tell you that something is wrong here.
38:40We want persons to be at least use greater wisdom in dealing with these situations.
38:44We are leaving things outside and by the time it comes, it goes.
38:47So we've seen the last thing going up.
38:50But nevertheless, we are saying if we can really make ourselves hard targets, we are going to see a further reduction in crime.
38:57And we also believe as we continue to work together with the community, building that trust, that as they share information, we would be able to at least get some of the perpetrators in these situations.
39:08All right.
39:09We have our first caller on the line.
39:10Caller, good evening and welcome to be on the team.
39:12Hello, caller.
39:16Hello, yes.
39:17Yes.
39:18Hello.
39:19Yes, go ahead, caller.
39:20Yes, good evening.
39:22Good evening.
39:23Good evening.
39:23As-salamu alaykum.
39:25As-salamu alaykum.
39:26How are you?
39:27As-salamu alaykum.
39:28How are you?
39:29We are well, sir.
39:30I'd like to make a comment.
39:31Two persons that want to ask.
39:38Go ahead, sir.
39:39You're listening.
39:40Yeah.
39:41One question.
39:41Why is it that you, the police, is not enforcing the law?
39:45That is, you're not claiming on PH taxes.
39:48And number two.
39:50Can I, as the individual, do the commissioner of police for not enforcing the law?
39:58Thank you so much, caller.
40:02Probably, you need to help with the first, he says that.
40:05He's asking, why is he trying to land on the bill?
40:06Not enforcing the law.
40:07Not enforcing the law.
40:08But I didn't hear the end part of that.
40:09Yes, that's the part.
40:11That's such a critical.
40:11Caller, we didn't hear the first, the last part of your first question.
40:15But the second question, he said, can he, the caller, sue the commissioner of police for not enforcing the law?
40:24But I think it all hinges on what he said before, right?
40:27Yeah.
40:27So because we didn't hear it, I mean, I think I'll be probably answering you a bit out of tune.
40:32But nevertheless, I just want to say this, that even when you might probably see police officers not upholding the law,
40:40it does not give you the right to also break the law.
40:44Because there's some situations that the police, again, because of what we are called to do, you know what I'm saying,
40:52we have that moral authority to do what it takes to ensure that we ensure safety and security.
41:00All right?
41:00And one of those things that you might see is the whole idea of seatbelts.
41:03You know what I'm saying?
41:04Because police officer at any time is called for duty, all right, we have our firearm.
41:10At any time, to take off a seatbelt and so on while engaging it.
41:15So therefore, you might not see police officers in seatbelts.
41:17Therefore, I'm saying, you might say, well, they're breaking the law.
41:21But again, understanding the role of the police officer, there are certain things you have to appreciate,
41:27even though the law might say certain things, the police might be exempted from those things.
41:34And it's not that they're breaking the law, but the exemption probably gives them a right to do certain things
41:39that other persons might not be able to do as members of law-abiding citizens.
41:48All right.
41:48Thanks a lot, DCP.
41:49Benjamin, you have another caller in line.
41:51Caller, good evening and welcome to be on the tape.
41:54Yeah, good evening.
41:54And again, congratulations on what is one of the best programs in Toronto around this time.
42:00And good evening to the goodly deputy commissioner of police.
42:05Good afternoon, sir.
42:06Calling from country Gregory.
42:10Go ahead, sir.
42:11I'll tell him.
42:13Go ahead, sir.
42:14The, the, um, I traveled to the Komoto, I traveled to the Komoto area, I, um, and I noticed
42:20in excess of, uh, 300 to 500 vehicles, um, that could be cannibalized and made into at least
42:2725 working vehicles, I noticed that those vehicles are, uh, uh, of course, some, some, some good
42:34parts, some bad parts.
42:35And I understand doing some, some research in, in foreign countries, foreign, um, foreign
42:41paramilitary organizations.
42:43I know that they often go in that direction to, to, of course, optimize the transportation
42:49department in the, in, in, in those services.
42:52And I'm asking, you know, if, if anything could be done as opposed to having these vehicles
42:57rotten away as it was, given the bureaucracy associated with having to, to, to, um, to get
43:06rid of government, um, government assets, can any recommendation be made as opposed to
43:12having it wasted when something could be done, you know?
43:17So, secondly, I know that the, the, the police service often prides itself on good service.
43:24And of course, thank you for your service, sir.
43:25And of course, express my sentiments to the commission of police and all the other hard-working
43:30police officers throughout the length and breadth of this, um, this wonderful republic.
43:35But more importantly, um, and I've seen it in, um, I've seen it in the New York area, that
43:41a lot of under, uh, undercover operations, uh, facilitated, and what that, what the, what
43:50the history informs us is that it drives the, the, the, the, eventually drives the crime
43:56finger down.
43:56So, I would like to hear your view on, on, on organized crime, and of course, going more
44:02into, into, um, undercover policing in this country, at least not fair.
44:07Collar, thanks so much for your, both questions, and, uh, DCP Benjamin will respond after this
44:14short break.
44:15Stay with us.
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45:49In Trinidad and Tobago, one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence
45:54by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
45:57Yet many suffer in silence due to fear, shame, or cultural norms.
46:01This October, you can help break the cycle.
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46:39Transcription by CastingWords
47:09Transcription by CastingWords
47:39Transcription by CastingWords
48:09Transcription by CastingWords
48:39put in place to deal with so the commissioner in his wisdom has put those things in place and I
48:46can assure you especially going into the ending of the year into the new year you're going to see
48:51that we're going to be dealing with a lot of those vehicles that you've seen around we are
48:56going to deal with that so that we can at least have a better scene and also some of them based
49:01on the expert that is on the panel there will determine how the best way to dispose of those
49:09things and that will determine the part of the OPR exactly the process that needs to be done
49:16all right so I hope that answers the question to some point if you don't you can always see me
49:24and we could talk some more about that in terms of the second question another fantastic question
49:28that talks about that undercover police officer and being able especially with the whole idea of
49:35organized crime we are saying that that is something that is we have done and continue to do even as we
49:41speak right now we have officers that are undercover and working to give us the necessary intelligence
49:48I just want to say more and more as we look at best practice we recognize that really and truly if we
49:55want to get information the information really comes more so when people learn to trust the police
50:01and therefore we are seeking to build that community partnership so that the public must be able to
50:07trust the police and therefore there is something that we normally speak about which is called police
50:12legitimacy this is where the people want the police to police them and when you get to that point
50:19is when people will want to bring the information to you so that you will have that ready intelligence
50:24whether it's undercover whether it is overt or covert it doesn't really matter it is the trust that
50:29they place in the police that is going to cause that symbiotic relationship and the police getting the
50:35intelligence turn it into evidence and really capturing uh those perpetrators I think that's the real key to it
50:41thanks a lot dcp benjamin we have another caller online caller good evening and welcome to be on the tape
50:46good evening caller welcome to be on the tape yes good evening gentlemen
50:52go ahead yeah okay right now this is to the commissioner um it's the deputy commissioner right now commissioner tell me something
51:05okay this this this deals with people's or citizens rights and the right of the police officer
51:14to break the law okay if a police superintendent attacks me okay hello yes yes sir we're listening go ahead sir
51:26okay okay right if a police commissioner attacks me okay let's say there's a family dispute i have no
51:35part to play in it but i am threatened okay and the day this particular police comes this police
51:41superintendent decides to come to attack me okay and i defend myself and beat the hell out of him
51:49okay and i go and make the report to the station good what happens next please i'm listening office yes
52:16thank you thank you so very much uh very very good question and i would say that it is important to
52:22understand that every situation is based is based on its own merit and therefore that situation is going
52:30to be judged based on its own merit if it was that the police officer was the one who uh instigated the
52:37situation he's going to be treated like any other person and once you defend yourself you defend yourself
52:42i want to just probably just sound a one of uh a word of caution there you said you beat the hell
52:49out of him you see that i want you to just be careful when you're beating the hell out of him because
52:53you you need to use enough force as is necessary all right because it is when we start to beat the hell
53:00out of him and something happens if that person's died because you beat the hell out of him you can be charged
53:05for murder all right because you have you should just do as much so as to bring that person to a place
53:13where the threat has ceased all right and i know in the midst of emotions you might just continue but be
53:19very careful when you allow emotions to carry you through always be very collective in terms of what
53:25you're doing and therefore it is do it have just ensuring even in defense that you do just as what is
53:32necessary to ensure that the threat is alleviated yeah and i just before we take the next call i i
53:38he didn't see whether or not this officer was off duty and playing close you know right if the
53:43officer was in uniform it's that changes the dynamics of everything there yeah i mean certainly certainly
53:50and i i'm just you know tell you know and it goes both for the police officer as well as for the
53:56citizen that we should try not to provoke each other i am saying that we need to work together but even in
54:01any situation it is important for you know persons to really have a very calm and and collective
54:10persona so that you don't allow your emotions to get get get in front all right we're going to take
54:14the last caller for the evening caller good evening and welcome to be on the table quickly hi good afternoon
54:20good afternoon um one question for the acp um the person that was detained under the preventative detention
54:29order during the soe will there will this person be released seeing that the soe has expired before it
54:37has been renewed all right caller thanks that's a very interesting question and you have about a minute and a half yes uh so that's a really good question because again um i want you to
54:50to appreciate that you know it is at the same time very it's right on on very close one to the next so
54:59again it is one of those things that and i think i'll be guided by by it to be quite honest um so to say
55:06that i my my understanding and this is just my understanding because i am subject to correction
55:12is um the fact that it continues it is possible that it can continue but um because i'm saying if
55:19the reason for the detention continues and the soe continues then i can see it continuing nevertheless
55:26i i as i said um i would want to probably even take that with some caution and um i can also furnish you
55:33or even furnish mark with that information so that probably the next time we're on i can give you a more
55:39uh fair and truthful answer to that because i think it is important that whatever we shame that we have
55:46you know the correct information to share to the public yeah certainly because as you said it might
55:51be a fine line yes before it's renewed that's right and she's asking within that fine line might be an hour
55:57two three hours if you know um the person could be released pending of course if they were not charged
56:03but you know as you said it's a gray area that i guess you will have to look at and um certainly um
56:09we would seek to get you know um we have the head legal we have uh minds that are there to help us
56:16deal with that and i will finish you with a more informed decision after at least in the future all
56:22right so we just have about 40 seconds is there anything you want to to wrap up for quickly before we
56:28say goodbye well i just want to honestly just say truante bigo you know thank you you know so far
56:33this year has been a very challenging one but yet we're trying to be go police officers uh we remain
56:38focused to the public we say thank you for your support to the officers we just want to say thank you
56:44for your resilience this is also another test because we have now withheld leave so i'm imagine um not
56:51everybody's is happy right now but nevertheless officers we have you know made an oath to serve
56:57and we want you to continue to just work with us as we continue to make our difference thank you
57:02mr p benjamin thanks for that for your time thanks for spending the last of course remember repeat
57:08tonight at 11 30. no repeats tomorrow uh the tv6 news is up next we'll see you back here on monday
57:14please be safe on the nation's roadways and enjoy your weekend
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