00:00Senior Superintendent Sylvester Williams said police have already arrested and charged a number of gang members for various serious offenses,
00:08and investigators were continuing to examine evidence to determine whether other gang-related charges could also be pursued.
00:16The senior superintendent said law enforcement officers would continue efforts to suppress crime,
00:22but stressed that public cooperation remained critical to the success of those operations.
00:28We have since arrested and charged many gang members, not specifically for gang-related offenses, but for other serious crimes.
00:43We are, in fact, investigating, we're still investigating with the view of possibly having charges laid against some of these
00:55gang members for gang offenses.
00:58Questions during the briefing also focused on the demands being placed on police officers as the state of emergency continues.
01:06ASP Russell Awee said officers understood the responsibilities that came with the current crime-fighting measures,
01:13and remain committed to carrying out their duties.
01:16He acknowledged that the pace of operations could be demanding,
01:21but said commanders continue to manage personnel to ensure officers received adequate periods of rest and recovery.
01:29And the officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service remains committed and steadfast in doing all that they have
01:36to do
01:37to ensure that we, not just me, but we, as a society, feel safer in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:45Awee also addressed concerns surrounding the mental health and well-being of police officers.
01:51He said the TDPS continued to maintain counseling and support systems for officers
01:57and encouraged supervisors to be proactive in identifying personnel who may require assistance.
02:03According to the ASP, supervisors should not wait for officers to seek help on their own,
02:10but should recommend intervention where necessary.
02:13We understand that mental health issues, you know, is something that is indeed real and exists,
02:20and we do have our counseling apparatus active on all occasions.
02:27And if I encourage supervisors as well to not only wait,
02:32but if they see an officer exhibiting some type of behavior that may warrant,
02:38that supervisor can indeed recommend that officer to access the proper social intervention.
02:45Meanwhile, police said security measures had been strengthened at the Tetron barracks,
02:50with specialized units continuing to monitor and secure the facility.
02:54Williams said officers had already recovered assault rifles during recent operations
03:00and would continue targeting illegal firearms across the country.
03:04Alexander Broussoul, TV6 News.
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