00:00Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association says it is satisfied that
00:06its concerns for officers were duly addressed by the police commissioner following a meeting to
00:12discuss the pending rollout of special operations in designated areas. The association says a heavy
00:18recruitment drive is currently underway which should address any concerns with the demand
00:23on police officers moving forward. Renessa Cutting has more. As the government intensifies its
00:30anti-crime efforts, police officers will now be expected to man police posts across the country
00:36and may also soon be asked to occupy designated areas of special operations if the Special Operations
00:43Bill 2026 is passed and proclaimed. It means more work for police officers but the Trinidad and Tobago
00:51Police Service Social and Welfare Association says following a meeting with the top cop on
00:56Thursday. It is satisfied that the well-being of officers remains paramount. As recent as yesterday
01:03we had a meeting with the commissioner of police so yes we have been fully appraised as to the
01:09the operations. Did you all express concerns about the manpower side of it? Well we do know that
01:18there is an authorization that increased the sanctioned strength of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
01:25There is a heavy recruitment drive that is taking place as we speak in terms of bringing new persons on
01:32board.
01:33It will be done by a phase-by-phase basis and we are satisfied that once we are up to
01:41full strength
01:41there shouldn't be any issue in terms of having the requisite manpower in order to treat with the
01:48issues at hand. Acting ASP Pitt says the strength of the police service is currently just over 7,000
01:55officers while the ideal complement is in the range of 10,000 officers. Under the proposed law officers will
02:02have extensive powers including the power to search any person, vehicle or place without a warrant.
02:10Do you believe that new officers should be on the ground in these types of operations with
02:16these types of powers? Well everything must be taken on a case-by-case basis and we would always
02:27support experienced officers treating with issues that are much more sensitive. We are satisfied that
02:34that will be the decision that will be made at the end of the day in terms of having the
02:41experience,
02:42the more experienced officers treated with these sensitive issues. It wouldn't be in isolation though
02:47because you know there will be a blending because in order for persons to learn then they must have that
02:54on-the-job training if you would call it that. So as much as the functions will be heavily undertaken
03:01by the
03:01experienced officers there will be officers on board who would be gathering experience as the d2d operations
03:08take place. As it pertains to equipment the association says officers would welcome fit for purpose body cameras
03:15however from the association's end bulletproof vests are top priority. The association has never been
03:24averse to body cams and based on all our interactions with the commissioner and his executive
03:31um they are like-minded in that they are not averse to the body cams um you know we we
03:37also have a heavy
03:38emphasis on personal protective equipment and i can tell you that you know bulletproof vests always forms
03:44our discussion. If my memory serves me right sometime last year we were able to acquire over 3 000.
03:50um i know that there are officers at this point in time who are in need of vests there are
03:56those that
03:56their vests are nearing that period of expiration. Renasa Cutting, tv6 news. The ttps tells tv6 news 235 new
04:08officers will pass out as early as next tuesday following which they will be posted to the various
04:15policing divisions from october 5th. It's now time for a short break we'll be right back.
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