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00:00This program contains some material that is unsuitable for young children.
00:39Beyond the Tape, we'll be back after these messages.
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03:17Good evening, Trinidad and Tobago. And to our international audience, this is Beyond the Tape. I'm your host, Whitney Husbands.
03:24And we're in the smack in the middle of the week, so that means only one thing.
03:27Of course, it's Legally Speaking Wednesdays. And one gentleman and that one person to guide us when it comes to
03:33the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
03:35We have our attorney at law, Mr. Ali, who is here with us and Director of Policy and Community Support
03:42of the Ministry of Homeland Security.
03:44Good evening to you, sir.
03:45Thank you very much, Whitney. And you were perfect this afternoon in your introduction.
03:48Oh, yes. You remember last time.
03:50Yes. I want to thank you very much.
03:51It's so many hats you wear, so I have to, you know.
03:54Well, thank you for your accuracy this afternoon.
03:56Yes.
03:56I think this is a time that requires responsible conduct and accuracy in every aspect.
04:03That's a good of the day. Accuracy.
04:05We could probably use that this afternoon. But I want to thank you very much for your warm welcome, as
04:09always.
04:09Yes.
04:09And thank you as well, you know, for your diligent work.
04:13I know a lot is happening in Trinidad and Tobago.
04:16Very interesting time, very sensitive times.
04:19You know, let me join with you to say good afternoon to Jackie and our colleagues behind the scene, you
04:24know, playing a very instrumental role.
04:27My law enforcement colleagues across the various agencies and also in the area of defense and even the private security
04:34as well.
04:34Sometimes I don't mention them, but I want you all to know that when I talk about law enforcement agencies,
04:38I'm actually pitching you on into that category as well.
04:41And most importantly, the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
04:44And I know that the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, they're very alert and very active in terms of what's
04:50happening in Trinidad and Tobago.
04:51But, you know, I'm here as always, you know, to lend that support and, you know, let's see how we
04:55go forward this afternoon.
04:56Yes. Now, you spoke about sensitive times.
04:58Yes.
04:59That we're in and we're definitely in a time where we're seeing law enforcement along with the laws of the
05:05land coming together.
05:07Yes.
05:07And this is where today, which was mentioned yesterday by ASP and the TTPS when it came to individuals protesting.
05:16Now, the cops won of the SOE protest rules.
05:18And that was one day before supporter of KSili planned a assemble to assemble that is outside the office of
05:25the director of public prosecution to protest.
05:29And today this happened.
05:32Take a look.
05:33Take your hands off.
06:07Now, Mr. Ali, let's deal with the laws and where we are right now, and we are in an SOE,
06:14and a statement that was made previously from the TTPS, where they stated under the legal framework of the Emergency
06:21Powers Regulations 2026, currently in effect with the ongoing state of emergency, people who choose to gather today may be
06:30placed or placing themselves at legal risk.
06:35What is transpiring here? This person could be charged, or is it just being detained to prevent things from escalating?
06:42Well, Whitney, I want to be very, very accurate this afternoon, and you indicated why we'll be using that word
06:50this afternoon. I deliberately use that word this afternoon.
06:53This is an unfolding matter, and I want to take a position publicly to be accurate in terms of my
06:59response, and I'll also advise your good self for us to be very responsible in terms of responding to this,
07:04because where I stand now, I'm not certain of the factual scenario that gives rise to the intervention of the
07:10police.
07:11But what I can say generally, we are not naive to understand that the public is charged with reference to
07:19what's happening, with reference to the decision to initiate criminal proceedings in the matter involving the Samaru family.
07:27And I want to say that while you may have tabled the Emergency Powers Regulations, and I'm speaking from an
07:33academic context here, meetings, march, and those sort of things requires notification of the police commissioner.
07:45Or, in some cases, and let me be very specific, in terms of the public meeting to notify the commissioner,
07:52and also where we have march to secure a permit in order to be able to do that.
07:59And I want Trinidad and Tobacco to understand, and this is under the Summary Offenses Act, that the purpose of
08:04that is to ensure that there's safety and security, and there's a balance of the rights of the person who
08:11want to have the public meeting,
08:12who want to have the person who want to have the march, but persons who may want to enjoy free
08:17movement and other rights that they may have.
08:19So I just want to identify that the rule of law, with reference to these two areas, will craft it
08:25to ensure that there's a balance of rights and enjoyment of rights.
08:30As it relates to the Emergency Powers Regulations in relation to persons gathering,
08:34It is also important to recognize that the area of preserving the peace is also of significance.
08:42And I say this, when you see a nation is charged with what is happening, and you are not proactive
08:49and recognize that, listen, if persons are allowed to gather in large numbers,
08:55there are things because persons are on the front side of defense, and we must be feeling the temperature.
09:00So, sometimes decisions are taken at a very high level, all geared towards preserving the peace.
09:06As it relates to the situation, as I said before, I'm not aware of the circumstances surrounding the police intervention,
09:12and whether persons were arrested, and if they were arrested, what are the circumstances surrounding the arrest.
09:17For example, whether it's an obscene language, a simple, whether it's a resisting arrest, whether it's a breach of the
09:23peace in many different contexts.
09:25So, I want to be very careful in terms of getting a full update as to the intervention of the
09:31police before I give further comments in relation to the matter.
09:34But, what I want to drive home with Trinidad and Tobago is that there's an urgent need to be responsible,
09:43whether we are speaking, whether we are acting,
09:49in reference to what's happening in Trinidad and Tobago, and you may not be looking at it in this context.
09:54It is also there for your safety.
09:55And as I said before, there are persons, it might not even be two sides.
09:59This is something that is attracting the majority of persons in different quarters of Trinidad and Tobago.
10:07And this requires each citizen, each entity, each institution to be responsible.
10:13And may I say that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, which is entrusted with the duty to protect and
10:19serve with pride,
10:20while something may have happened, while the TTPS may have been engaged,
10:24the TTPS still has the responsibility to preserve law and order.
10:28So, that's all I say for now until we get a full update.
10:31Perhaps, I don't know whether we may be fortunate to have someone who may be listening at a very senior
10:36level
10:37to call in and be on the tape and give an update as to what's transpiring or what has transpired
10:41so that the public can be advised, as opposed to us standing here at TV6 and entering into a frame
10:49of speculation.
10:49Now, not specifically in this situation here, but you mentioned disturbing the peace.
10:54Yes.
10:54Could it be disturbing the peace, just gathering and not causing a still of persons being loud and chanting,
11:01but they're just present, that is also a form of disturbing the peace?
11:04Well, we have learned about peaceful, peaceful assembly.
11:08But, as I said before, you cannot divorce your mind with what is happening and how charged the population has
11:17become.
11:18This gathering that we are seeing here, based on the information and the reporting,
11:21is in the vicinity of the Director of Public Prosecution's Office.
11:25That in itself is a very sensitive office.
11:27That's an office that has sensitive information, documents.
11:31The state prosecutors are at this location.
11:34Bear in mind that the state prosecutors, they are not only doing this matter.
11:38Other matters.
11:39They are very, very sensitive on other high-profile matters that these persons are engaging.
11:43So, even from that context, you have to look at it.
11:47And secondly, while you may have a group of persons who are coming together for one common objective,
11:51as I said before, there are other groups who may be adverse.
11:54Yes, correct.
11:55So, they use that as a medium to enter in to do their duty.
11:59That's the point.
11:59So, you know, it's called, I understand the population.
12:04And with me, I respect every single court.
12:06And I want to say that.
12:07Yes.
12:08You know, depending on wherever you sit, you will share that perspective.
12:12And I want to say to Trinidad and Tobago that, you know, we speak about the rule of law.
12:16We speak about due process.
12:18There are lawyers on both sides of the fence.
12:20And I call these attorneys as well, respectfully this afternoon,
12:24to please advise your client or your clients or advise these particular groups properly.
12:29So that, or I should say, continue to remind them and advise them.
12:33And don't let the adrenaline flow to the extent that they are trampling on the criminal law
12:39and putting themselves further or bringing themselves very close to very serious consequences.
12:45Let us allow the due process to take its course.
12:48And may I say, when you have, if the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service had initiated the proceedings with me,
12:54and I'm speaking from an academic context here now, I could, you know, understand and feel, you know, a concern.
13:03But when you have the independent office and the director of public prosecution sitting as an independent body and making
13:10decisions,
13:11I think we should trust this judgment.
13:13We should trust the process.
13:14And may I say as well, and other attorneys may have spoken about it,
13:18this matter now, once the warrants issued by the court, becomes subjudice.
13:22And we are now heading towards the court for ventilation of this matter.
13:25And I think that there's proper built-in mechanisms within the judicial process to be able to treat this matter.
13:31If, in fact, there's not court on evidence, if there's proper defense.
13:35So I'm just saying to Trinidad and Tobago, I feel your concern for those who are fully charged,
13:42for those who are following the matter.
13:43But I'm also asking for us to be mature, in terms of mature for your own safety and for the
13:49persons who you may be with,
13:51their safety as well.
13:52Sometimes we think in a short-sighted, but I always ask the nation, let us think long-term,
13:59in terms of when we are acting or when we are speaking.
14:02And in relation to the emergency power regulations, what I will say,
14:05there is, in fact, a section that speaks about freedom of speech.
14:09Well, I don't want to use the word freedom of speech.
14:11We have freedom of speech, we have that.
14:13But in terms of what you say, if it may be prejudicial to public safety and security.
14:18So in other words, you and I are exercising a freedom of repress right now.
14:23Yes.
14:23I am exercising a freedom of expression.
14:26But both of us need to be very, very calculated in terms of not making statements
14:30that may be prejudicial to public safety and security.
14:33And even persons who are not within this domain, you are, let's say, for example,
14:37let's go back to the same situation.
14:38You are probably in the public domain, you are among persons,
14:41you ought to be careful of the thong that you have.
14:44Control that thong.
14:45And I'm happy where you're going, you're using a very powerful word.
14:47So I didn't go into things like incitement and so forth.
14:50But be responsible that your statement is not prejudicial to public safety and security.
14:55But I want to close with this part, Whitney.
14:57Whitney, I understand, I understand, I understand that persons at different corners will be thinking differently.
15:04You want to express yourself.
15:06You want to pursue justice.
15:08You are entitled to do that.
15:09But we are also living in a society that we are governed by the rule of law and let us
15:15also observe the rule of law and due process in these circumstances.
15:20And I'm sure with persons understanding that, because we have a lot of intelligent people, they understand the consequences that
15:26come with it.
15:27And persons have already made up their mind that they're going to stand firm in what they believe in and
15:31deal with it as it may.
15:32But we stand here with giving the right information.
15:35And I just want to say one more thing, Whitney, just to hammer this point, what you all showed a
15:39short while ago, I have no facts in relation to the circumstances wrong in the police intervention.
15:44And as I said before, if senior officers are listening and feel obligated or inclined, I will welcome, you know,
15:52a brief update for the citizenry to know what transpired or what is transpiring as we speak so that they
15:57can be advised as well.
15:58Yes. Right now, let's take a look at what's making today's SOE update as of May 27th, 2026.
16:05Number of operations, 6,340.
16:10Number of target priority offenders, 1,887.
16:15Searches conducted, 2,955.
16:19Traffic operations, 3,736.
16:23Total persons arrested, 2,826.
16:27Total persons charged, 595.
16:32Firearms recovered.
16:34We're seeing it remains at 166.
16:37Ammunition recovered.
16:38We're seeing it remains at 3,307.
16:42And dangerous drug sees.
16:43We are seeing an increase again with the cannabis.
16:46Ms. Ali.
16:47Well, thank you very much, Whitney.
16:49And if what you have shown a while ago, if in fact there was an arrest, I guess the table
16:53will be impacted.
16:54Yes.
16:55This is the number of persons arrested during the state of emergency within the last couple of minutes.
16:59Yes, yes.
17:00But thank you very much for reading these statistics.
17:02And Whitney, it's important for me just to go back.
17:03Can I just go back quickly to what's unfolding?
17:09What I recognize in the video, I saw very senior police officers in the video.
17:14And I want to salute that this afternoon.
17:16And I want to urge the executive of ETTPS, especially now, that the senior ranks, it's important for the senior
17:23ranks to be on the scene of these matters.
17:26So that the experience, the knowledge, and effective decision-making can be executed in these circumstances.
17:35So that the other officers are properly guided.
17:37Because this situation, Whitney, from my little experience, this situation requires not only knowledge and experience sometimes.
17:45It requires a little bit of wisdom as well.
17:46So I'm happy that I'm seen.
17:48And I do not want to call the senior officer that I saw.
17:52But it's important for us to ensure that the hierarchy of the police service, the first division officers in particular,
17:59who has or have a responsibility under the Summary Offenses Act in particular, and under the Police Service Act, it
18:07is important for them to be on the scene so that they can manage those situations properly.
18:11And I just wanted to make that point this afternoon.
18:13I believe deep down inside, I don't believe the young lady was charged in any way.
18:17I'm sure they dealt with it in a way that is pleasing.
18:19I think they know the climate of the country is already one where we're on easy.
18:23So we will see how things go as we get the update as we move along.
18:26And speaking of updates, let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
18:31Let's take a look at what's making today's headlines.
18:59And those are your stories making today's headlines.
19:01Remember, you can give us a call at 623-1711, extension 1996 and 1997.
19:07We'll be back.
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21:04And welcome back.
21:05It's Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
21:06We have our attorney at law and also our director here, Mr. Ali, each and every Wednesday.
21:10And we continue with matters that are concerning the state.
21:14And this one in particular is a unique case.
21:17Listen to this.
21:17So, a traffic ticket confrontation in the Arima District.
21:22Now, a traffic ticket confrontation near the Arima District Court last Friday escalated into a police officer discharging a firearm
21:31during an altercation involving a couple.
21:33According to a viral video recorded on the body-worn camera.
21:38Guess who wore the camera?
21:39Who was wearing the camera?
21:40The body-worn camera.
21:44I'll be guided.
21:46And you see your attorney is in here.
21:48You can't help it.
21:48Right?
21:49But it was worn by the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission as state constable.
21:54The incident has sparked heated debates on social media, with some users defending the officer's action, while others questioned whether
22:02the shooting was justified.
22:03Y'all take a look at this video.
22:10So, the video that we're seeing that is worn on the body cam is being worn by a constable of
22:16the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission.
22:33Thank you very much.
23:06Thank you very much.
23:20Thank you very much.
24:05Thank you very much.
24:14Thank you very much.
24:19Thank you very much.
24:23Thank you very much.
24:49Thank you very much.
25:21Thank you very much.
25:22Thank you very much.
25:54Thank you very much.
25:55And just because the matter is being investigated, and based on your reporting, you know, it would be irresponsible of
26:01me, you know, to comment further.
26:03But definitely requires some very strong engagements with the decision makers with reference to this and probably other matters out
26:12of a similar nature.
26:13Unfortunate.
26:14But let's see how it unfolds.
26:15Yes.
26:15At this time, it's for us.
26:17At this time, it's for us to go back to basics.
26:18So let's take a look.
28:05Jeff,
28:10You see nothing every day?
28:12Yeah, no entry.
28:14All by your grandfather on one of them side.
28:16Yeah, no entry.
28:20Nope. Stopping prohibited.
28:23Stopping prohibited.
28:25Stopping prohibited.
28:26Right.
28:29You get kinda like, you get about a two and a half.
28:34And you know what?
28:37Because you get two and a half,
28:40you get a prize, man of God.
28:41So on behalf of the Prince's Town Station Council
28:45and the TDPS,
28:47for your knowledge of the regulations,
28:49we award you with this.
28:51You know, talking about appreciation, right?
28:52And we encourage you to go for the regulations.
28:55I will do.
28:56And also encourage others, especially younger drivers.
28:58Well, I always do.
29:00To go for the regulations, right? Yes, sir.
29:02Thank you, sir. Enjoy this evening. You too.
29:04Well, finally, we got you at one.
29:06I was beginning to get a little worried, you know.
29:08Because we did some and everybody was getting one out of three,
29:11two out of three.
29:12So we are very thankful
29:14that the drivers on the nation's road
29:15know the rules and regulations.
29:27And I want you back to basic, of course, with PC Bubble,
29:30trying to make sure that we remain sharp on the nation's rules.
29:32That's something that we must pay attention to,
29:34not just for studying the tickets, Mr. Ali, but our safety.
29:37Well, you know, Whitney, I have always commented
29:41and commended this initiative.
29:43I think it's healthy.
29:43Yes.
29:44And it probably prompts, as I said before,
29:47some deeper interventions.
29:48But today, I'll probably use a different slant as well
29:50when I look at it.
29:51You know, looking at basics,
29:55the questions that have been posed to the motorists,
29:57would we say that are really basics?
29:59Because those are significant.
30:01And it's significant to the extent that if you don't know it,
30:05apart from getting yourself into a traffic violation,
30:08you can end up in other serious consequences.
30:10So, basics, but very sensitive and very significant.
30:16You see, when you put on the attorney hat again,
30:18actually, what is going on?
30:19You're dissecting a lot.
30:20Well, Whitney, what you...
30:22These are the things we must know, so it's basic.
30:24Well, basic, but at the same time,
30:26it can't be so basic if you do not know it
30:29and you fail to observe it.
30:31It's traffic violation or serious consequences.
30:33But you and Jackie, this afternoon, I must say this.
30:35You all have confronted me thus far
30:38with two very sensitive videos.
30:40And I want to say that publicly.
30:41So, this is what these two professionals
30:44are doing to me this afternoon.
30:45They have presented me with two very sensitive videos.
30:51Thankfully, I'm patient
30:53and I have to exercise some due diligence.
30:55Had it not been for me being patient
30:57and exercising due diligence,
30:59these two professionals would have probably
31:02taken me into a direction
31:04that there may have been no coming back.
31:06I don't believe that at all.
31:08And, you know, very important matters
31:10that the public need to know.
31:11You all are bringing it to the attention
31:13of the public, you know, very live issues with me.
31:16And, you know, I love to get involved, you know.
31:19Yes.
31:19You know me.
31:20Well, I'll let you know.
31:21But I have to be very, very responsible
31:23in terms of how I get involved, especially where I sit.
31:26And hence why I'm very, very qualified
31:28in terms of how responding to those things.
31:30But you have the freedom of the press.
31:33Yeah, but I have to be mindful as well.
31:34Well, no, freedom of the press to bring it to the attention.
31:37Yes, of course.
31:37Similarly, Jackie, but I do have that luxury of freedom.
31:41So members of the public, I would love to speak to you.
31:43I have a lot of things to say about these videos.
31:45But for the purposes of, and because of the nature
31:48and sensitivity, I have to be responsible.
31:50So please, I ask for your cooperation this afternoon.
31:54You're gearing up yourself with the callers.
31:56Well, I'm waiting on some of them.
31:58All right.
31:58Yes.
31:59We take that break.
32:00We'll be back.
32:30Bye.
32:32Bye.
32:34Bye.
32:50Bye.
33:04Bye.
33:06Bye.
33:14Bye.
33:21Bye.
33:23Bye.
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34:45And welcome back to Legally Speaking Wednesdays.
34:48We get ready to head to the phone lines as we speak.
34:50We have a caller on hold.
34:51Caller, good evening.
34:54Hello, good evening caller.
34:58Yesterday I called in concern in the DCP office, which is a lieutenant office.
35:03And I don't think we should allow that thing to start.
35:07You don't open a door and when things are running, then you want to close the door.
35:12That should not have happened at all today.
35:15Whether I was arrested or not, that should not even happen today.
35:20The other issue, over 30 years ago, you were trained that before you leave your range,
35:28you wash from your elbow, come right back down.
35:33Because of the fact that GSR, Mr. Ali know what I'm talking about.
35:37GSR will be present.
35:38So when someone is saying that I never held a gun, how can you not hold a gun when in
35:47forensics, it will show GSR on your body?
35:52How would you smell, sir?
35:55Mr. Ali, I told you.
35:59Well, again, caller, you have also joined with me and Jackie this afternoon.
36:05And I know you went into the area forensics, but I'll be, again, very qualified this afternoon in reference to
36:14those matters.
36:15Yes, those are areas that you can explore for evidential purposes in an investigation.
36:19And that's all I'll say at this point in time.
36:22Of course.
36:22We have another caller.
36:23Caller, good evening.
36:26Hello?
36:27Hello?
36:27Hi, good afternoon.
36:28Hi, good evening.
36:30Yeah, I'm calling with respect to those terms.
36:33In the long time, there was a voice in Dr. St. Michael's School for Boys, YTC.
36:40What about these institutions?
36:42Because if you have done something wrong, there are consequences.
36:47So I think this might have been an approach.
36:52In other words, bring back, let us say, St. Michael's School for Boys, St. Jude, and all those places.
36:58Thank my contribution for today.
36:59Bye-bye.
37:00Thank you so much, Mr. Sally.
37:01Thank you very much, caller.
37:03You have placed me in a lighter context and I can engage you, engage the public.
37:06Again, good suggestion, good point.
37:09But let's reverse all of it.
37:12These children that we're speaking about, whether both parents or one parent, or whether parents, including grandparents, members of the
37:21community,
37:22they are the first, they are the first to ensure that these persons have discipline.
37:26Before we could place them in the hands of other persons, in terms of having the responsibility, this is where
37:31we need to go.
37:32And, you know, I'll link it in terms of the present engagement that we are having with me.
37:36This is where we are going in terms of educating and emphasizing the importance of good parenting.
37:41So before you could put them into a state institution, you have a responsibility.
37:46If you cannot execute and you tell us that, listen, you are unable to control this child, then we could
37:52understand, okay, the state needs to get involved.
37:54But it must be a simple situation where there's an act of violence or delinquency.
37:58And we immediately shift the burden and say, okay, state, you have a responsibility.
38:01Where are the parents?
38:02What are they doing?
38:03What efforts are they exerting in relation to this child?
38:06Why did this child even come to this situation?
38:08What was happening the months and years before?
38:11So, excellent point.
38:12But I think that we need to just go back a little bit in terms of parenting.
38:16And that doesn't negate the fact that, you know, the state has a responsibility.
38:20We are taking proactive measures to engage our population in our wide context.
38:24To also emphasize among the students the need for good choices, how to control themselves, socialization, good decision-making, and
38:30so forth.
38:31But at the same time, we must go back to that family home where the parents must stand up and
38:38discipline and guide these.
38:40And if they cannot, well, then the state will get involved to render deeper intervention.
38:43But I thank you for your support and your participation.
38:46What is, what, oh, we have a caller.
38:48Let's take that call.
38:49Caller, good evening.
38:49My apologies.
38:51Okay, no, your apologies.
38:52Accepted.
38:52Good evening.
38:53Good evening, Whitney, and very good evening to the Director.
38:58That's one good evening to you, sir.
38:59Director, I saw one of the videos that you all have been playing, and I want to make a comment.
39:07When our Prime Minister said that Trinidad has become a lawless dump, the TTP is supposed to have taken a
39:16clue out of that.
39:17You see, the discretion, the TTP should be very careful about discretion, and they must enforce zero tolerance.
39:29I think discretion is a bit questionable now, because we are lawless, and we are detainable by the whole.
39:36The second thing, with all the issues surrounding recent development with the TTP, I'm not going on it.
39:42I want to ask you a pointed question.
39:45Are any body cameras being used in the TTP currently?
39:50The second issue, a lot of things have been said about the PCA being given more bite with respect to
40:01prosecuted police service.
40:05As an officer, as a citizen, I agree with it, but not with the current director.
40:10It's complicit, compromised, and it's said the police is the biggest gap.
40:14And my third issue, a lot of judgment has come down from judges with respect to the hierarchy of the
40:23police right down to the lowest level.
40:25Saying when a police is found to be compromised, complicit, and has basically done wrong things, he should pay from
40:35his pocket.
40:35I think that question, my last question, should be better to your colleague tomorrow, and I'll call him on this.
40:41I'll listen up here.
40:41All right. Thank you so much.
40:44Thank you very much, Paula.
40:45Thanks for your pointed questions.
40:48I think the issue of the body cameras, I think that question will be best answered by the police commissioner
40:54or a member of his executive.
40:56So I want to respond.
40:57You already indicated your last question will be referred to ASP Russell.
41:00Yes.
41:02And the issue of zero tolerance, you know, I don't think that we have to make mention of that.
41:10Because if you look at the responsibility, or I should say the mandate of the police service, is to detect
41:16crime and other infraction of the law.
41:17That in itself connotates that if you breach the law, then the consequences should flow.
41:24So where the discretion comes in, and this is something that the discretion, in my respect for view, calls for
41:33a deeper intervention of supervision.
41:35So in other words, discretion shouldn't be only left with the single officer who's engaging the situation.
41:41So for example, let's say a corporal, a constable is engaging a situation where the sergeants and inspectors and ASPs
41:46going up to say, okay, let's look at the situation and we'll see how we can exercise the discretion if
41:51in fact there's a discretion in relation to the matter.
41:52So it should not be a situation of singular, but consultation to be able to deal with it.
41:57But I'll say, you know, in closing to your comments, Whitney, that I think, you know, we have spoken about
42:03constitutional reform.
42:04We have spoken about institutional reform.
42:07And I think that even in the time that we live in now, and present day, today, we have seen
42:12that our institutions have been tested.
42:14And that's something where I sit as policy, I'll speak strongly on that, that our institutions and our systems have
42:22been tested.
42:23And it's important for us to look at it, look at it, and look at it with the view to
42:28take some deliberate actions to be able to strengthen these institutions,
42:32to be able to respond to changing trends and patterns as related to public safety and security, crime and criminality.
42:40And I'll be very strong on that.
42:41And I really hope that the decision makers really recognize that our institutions that have been, or have been, sorry,
42:46are wrong for some time,
42:48perhaps there's a need to look at them and look at them with a fine teeth comb to see whether,
42:53in fact,
42:55they're appropriate, relevant to be able to deal with the changing circumstances in Trinidad and Tobago.
43:00I hope they heard what you just said there.
43:02We'll take that break.
43:03We'll be back.
43:24We'll be back.
44:08We'll be back.
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45:02For the investigations that matter most to TNT, turn to the team you trust.
45:07The TV6 News.
45:08We do the work to uncover the facts, ask the important questions,
45:11and report on the issues that impact your community and the nation at large.
45:15This is more than just news.
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45:43Welcome back.
45:43We head back to the 4-9s.
45:45We have a call on hold.
45:46Caller, good evening.
45:47Hi, good evening.
45:48I'm just looking at the footage of the police response outside of the DPP's office.
45:53And I'm wondering, I would really like this gentleman next to you to answer.
45:58Where is this kind of response when the public calls the police stations for help?
46:03Because I can tell you right off the back of the Baratari police station,
46:05every single time someone calls for help, we can't come.
46:09Don't call us again.
46:11A few months ago, a president saw persons within the area at 2 o'clock in the morning
46:15with guns and speeding down different areas within Baratari and Dormiga Road.
46:20Call the DVD Baratari station and their response is that people have fun
46:24and just giving them guns at 2 o'clock in the morning.
46:27Where is that kind of response when the public calls for help?
46:31Where is that?
46:32Why don't they respond with such guns too?
46:34As far as I'm concerned, that entire police service from the DPP go right down
46:38are an absolute waste of time.
46:40They should get rid of every single one of you all
46:42and replace you all with police officers from New York or the U.S.
46:46Waste of time.
46:54Thank you very much, caller.
46:56We have another caller.
46:57You could give us a call, 623-1711, extension 1996 and 1997.
47:04Caller, good evening.
47:06Wow.
47:10The place is...
47:11No, not that...
47:12I mean, she has her freedom of expression.
47:13No, no, you may...
47:14I understand.
47:14Yeah, yeah, she has her freedom of expression.
47:15Yes, it's just the...
47:17And I want to be fair to her.
47:19She has expressed a very strong emotion and understandably.
47:22So I indicated that before, that persons will be grieved.
47:27They'll be looking on, and I have to respect their freedom of expression.
47:30But I will always ask them to be responsible, be responsible and be responsible in terms
47:36of how we comment.
47:39Because, you know, I'm one who is not going to be engaging in any banter.
47:43But I respect the freedom of expression.
47:45And perhaps what I will advise the caller, if I were to afford anything, is to leave a number
47:53so that we can get in contact with you, so that you can identify date, time, and place
47:57in terms of when you call for response, and there was no response in that particular area.
48:00But I don't think you want to be able to use a forum, and you brought brush.
48:06Because if something should happen right now, we'll be reaching out to the police again.
48:09And I want us to be very circumspect.
48:11And every single organization, unless you even go into a family unit, or even a community,
48:19you're going to have persons who are not at the same level.
48:22And sometimes we need to be a little bit responsible.
48:24I know that we're emotional, but let us be a little bit responsible.
48:26Because I'm aware that there are many persons who give their best, who try their best on
48:31a daily basis.
48:32And I want us to be a little bit responsible, so that we can point to every institution.
48:37We can look at both state and non-state actors.
48:40And I'm saying that we can even go into your home, where sometimes a father may be performing
48:44and a mother is not, or vice versa, or both is not performing, when we look at issues
48:49where youth delinquency is concerned.
48:51So what I want to say to Trinidad and Tobago, every single citizen need to do an introspection.
48:56Because if we look at each other, you'll recognize that every single one of us, there's room
49:02for improvement.
49:02And I just want to say that this afternoon.
49:04We have another caller.
49:05Caller, good evening.
49:07Hello, good evening.
49:08Good evening.
49:08I'm your communication network.
49:09Good evening to Mr. SP Ali and Mr. Spence.
49:14Good evening to you, sir.
49:16Yes.
49:17I would like to make a comment, make a comment, considering if you, if you, if you, in the
49:23Brexit, that's good.
49:24One with the, um, the upper torso, with the police, with the camera, with the officer,
49:31making an exercise alert.
49:34Uh, firstly, they said, the, the, the, the female officer said, we go to the front of the
49:39driver's speaker, right, and door.
49:41He said, we are at the side, basically, in case of the driver opening the door and striking
49:46her, because they're assaulting her, right?
49:49That can be done with or without weapon, right?
49:52So he strikes her down with the door.
49:54That's going to occur.
49:55He said, we are at the side.
49:56So that in case he, the firearm, could fall out or anything with the strike.
50:03Is that it, sir?
50:04Yeah.
50:05And also, the second one is, um, they were talking about, um, today's procedure with, um,
50:13the outside presence of the police service, which is very important, because it's written
50:19in the environmental director of the public prosecution's office, and it should be well
50:24imminent with the officers, being able to call it technological, uh, technological, uh,
50:31technological attitudes with the gaze and the compound, right?
50:36So you have to be very, very secure in case of any assaultation or any use of firearms,
50:42because they're angry more, which is more than two persons, they will be angry, right?
50:47Another circumstance, the, um, the cameramen, right?
50:51They could cause a problem within their environment there, too, so that the officers didn't work
50:57properly, because they did it there within, um, unsight presence, right?
51:03But a police officer uniform or a mask police, because they could change the situation or
51:09thus change the institution or the person and the problem for the police officer, so they
51:15can have a immaculate outcome or response.
51:20All right, thank you so much, Kola.
51:22And with you, let me commend this, Kola.
51:23Yes.
51:24Let me commend this, Kola, for a level of responsible expression.
51:29Yeah.
51:29And when I looked at the video a short while ago with the, um, with the pickup, when the
51:34pickup appeared to have come into contact with the officer.
51:37Yes.
51:37This is a Kola who looked at that video, and that's why I indicated I have so many things
51:42to say, but because he has now prompted me, he's looking at it from an operational context
51:46and safety and security, and I commend him for that.
51:49Because these are the things as a society that, when we're speaking about building a
51:53society, we are constructive, we are critical, but it is solution-oriented.
51:59And this gentleman has now presented to law enforcement, presented to this platform, persons
52:03who are listening, and not only from a law enforcement context.
52:07It may be, generally speaking, in terms of what position should you adopt when you are
52:12engaging a vehicle.
52:13So that just in case there's an occurrence, let's say, for example, maybe the roadway is
52:20not even, vehicle can roll into you and so forth.
52:23So what he's offering, he's offering very, very important information, and I want to
52:28commend him this afternoon, and I just want to indicate that, you know, that we become
52:33charged, we become emotional, but I am asking again the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to
52:40let us be responsible, let us be responsible, let us play our part.
52:44And you know, Whitney, there was a time that I had to do an assessment, and I had to do
52:50a
52:50psychometric test, and when I was going to do that psychometric test, a question that
52:56was posed to me was, what do you understand by those who live in glass houses, but not
53:03throw stone?
53:04I wouldn't say no more.
53:05Let's proceed.
53:07We have a call on the line.
53:08Caller, good evening.
53:10Hi, hello, good evening.
53:12I am live, right?
53:13Yes, you are.
53:13Hello, Mr. Burns and Sergeant Ali.
53:16Good evening to you, sir.
53:16I will preface my quick question by saying, Eid Mubarak to your listeners, and it's a
53:24pleasure to speak with a former West Indies cricketer live.
53:27So my question is, you, Mr. Ali, have been with on the national news and so on media with
53:34your attempt at, with your intervention at Tranquility.
53:37I don't know if anyone has asked this question, and it was a great initiative, I thought.
53:41But my question to you, sir, is what is the follow-up with regard to the Ministry of Education
53:47and the KTPS and other parties who are, you know, involved in this?
53:52Where are you going with this, and what can we expect?
53:56Thank you, sir.
53:58So thank you very much for your kind comments.
54:02Caller, you took me that many years in terms of, you know, my cricketing days.
54:05But thank you very much for that.
54:06And also, it would be remiss of me in terms of today, I should say even yesterday, and
54:11coming into today, celebrating Eid al-Haq.
54:14Yes.
54:14You know, for the Islamic community.
54:15I'm actually going to turn around in Tobago.
54:17It's, you know, we refer to it as, you know, the Day of Sacrifice, a very powerful story.
54:21And perhaps before we leave, I probably just share something quickly.
54:24But just to answer your question in terms of the engagement with the nation's schools,
54:28I must indicate with confidence that the Ministry of Homeland Security, the Ministry of Education,
54:32the Ministry of Social Development, and other state and non-state actors, we are in talks
54:36to be able to sustain these interventions.
54:40And I'm happy that you asked that question because it's a very salient question in terms
54:44of the sustainability of these engagements to ensure that we are continuously engaging
54:49our students, and we are looking for ways of improving the engagement to ensure
54:53that we eradicate delinquency and violence in our nation's schools.
54:58Whitney, I want to just share just a brief perspective on something.
55:03This Day of Sacrifice, and there's a lesson that came out of it.
55:08The lesson that came out of it with the Day of Sacrifice is that nothing belongs to any
55:15one of us.
55:16Nothing belongs to us.
55:18Not the clothes, not the watch, not even our body because our body is disposed of subsequently.
55:25And sometimes we miss these things sometimes in terms of how we respond to our fellow human
55:31beings, how we deal with situations, how we sometimes allow our emotions to get the best
55:38of us, better of us, sorry.
55:39And the principle is that the sacrifice that the prophet Abraham, who we know as Abraham,
55:49was old.
55:50And God had blessed him with a son.
55:52And then he got this dream that his son should be sacrificed.
55:58And recognizing that he prayed to the Lord for our son.
56:02The son was given to him, but recognizing that everything belongs to the Creator.
56:07And a ram appeared when he was going to sacrifice his son.
56:10And that's what became, in summary, the principle behind sacrifice, where they will kill the animals
56:15and share the meat and engage in worship.
56:18And that is significant.
56:19And I want to repeat that nothing belongs to any one of us.
56:23And our emotions, we must control our emotions.
56:26Because that, we must always look within first in terms of how we display, how we exhibit,
56:31how we conduct ourselves.
56:32Only then, and remember what I said, those who live in glass houses, those, sorry, who live
56:38in glass houses must not throw stones.
56:42Mr. Ali, we'd like to thank you.
56:44The best way of closing off this evening's show.
56:47We wish you nothing but the best, and you continue to work hard as we move forward.
56:51And, of course, to the nation, we know that we are dealing with a lot of pain.
56:55But we have to be responsible as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
57:00News is up next, TNT at 7 o'clock.
57:02We'll be back tomorrow with ASP Russell.
57:04Be safe.
57:05God bless.
57:06We're out.
57:10We're out.
57:17We'll be back tomorrow with ASP Russell.
57:19We'll be back tomorrow with ASP Russell.
57:20We'll be back tomorrow with ASP Russell.
57:20We'll be back tomorrow with ASP Russell.
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