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  • 6 hours ago
The Estate Police Association of Trinidad and Tobago is raising concerns about the ballistic protection equipment being used by some officers.

The Association warns that aging or inadequate bulletproof vests could place personnel at greater risk as they continue to confront increasingly armed and dangerous criminals.
Transcript
00:00The Estate Police Association of Trinidad and Tobago is urging officers to closely examine the bulletproof vests issued to them
00:08for firearm duties.
00:09Association President Derek Richardson says concerns of a ballistic protection equipment have persisted for years, despite repeated calls for stronger
00:18standards and oversight.
00:20We remain deeply concerned about the substandard ballistic equipment that continues to enter the local market.
00:26We are aware that substandard vests are brought in the Trinidad and Tobago and issued to officers to expect it
00:31to perform these duties.
00:33This is exactly and precisely why the Association continues to insist that we adopt standards established by the internationally recognized
00:42National Institute of Justice.
00:44Richardson says the Association has long advocated for the adoption of internationally recognized standards established by the National Institute of
00:53Justice.
00:54He also claims that some officers are relying on ballistic vests that are well beyond their recommended service life.
01:01Evidence showing that some officers are currently utilizing vests issued as far back as 2004.
01:10The reality is that the vest that you are wearing, that ballistic protection, does not last forever.
01:19International standards recognize that effectiveness declines after approximately five years, depending on the manufacturer's specifications.
01:27The concerns come as officers face heightened risk in the line of duty, including encounters with heavily armed criminals.
01:34According to the Association, some estate police officers have reportedly been issued a Level 2 vest that are more than
01:41a decade beyond their recommended lifespan,
01:43despite Level 3 protection being regarded as the minimum operational standard.
01:48The Association says it has repeatedly raised the issue with employers and regulators and remains prepared to pursue all available
01:56avenues to ensure officers are provided with appropriate protective equipment.
02:01Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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