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Oct 24, 2024

Smooth’ return of tactical gear | Local News | trinidadexpress.com

STANDARD: The only uniforms that officers of the TTPS are expected to wear as of today for operations, with the exception of four specific units. The officers were ordered to surrender all tactical

STANDARD: The only uniforms that officers of the TTPS are expected to wear as of today for operations, with the exception of four specific units. The officers were ordered to surrender all tactical wear kits by next Wednesday.

DESPITE long lines, and officers braving the hot sun yesterday to return their tactical wear uniforms, there were no hiccups in the process.

The Express reached out to T&T Police Service Social and Welfare Association president ASP Gideon Dickson yesterday and was informed that, from initial information, all things have gone smoothly.

“From our information, there were no hiccups in the process. Just long lines and some delays. But for the majority, the officers have complied with the instructions given. I’m sure an audit will be done soon to determine if any persons have not returned their tactical gear, but for now, it appears that most of our officers have done as instructed,” Dickson said.

He also reiterated his position that the executive of the T&T Police Service ought to reconsider the memorandum.

“Our position remains that we believe at this point in time, the police commissioner (Erla Christopher) is within her remit to put out the memorandum and her instructions to the membership. However, while we continue to urge our officers to comply with the instructions given, as this is an organisation, we will also reiterate our position that we are not necessarily in full support of the decision,” he said.

He continued: “We believe that task force officers, canine officers, and even to a lesser extent, E999 officers ought to be given favourable consideration to continue to wear these tactical gears. They are the ones to take the fight to communities and face high-powered weapons. Those officers cannot be expected to perform their duty in the traditional gear, as far as we are concerned.”

He also reiterated that he believed that the “grey and blue” uniforms could be difficult to maintain for officers on the field.

“It is a difficult uniform to maintain, and I am saying this as an individual who has worn those colours for many years, if you want to maintain the image. And this is coming from the point of view of you have officers on the field, going through rough terrains, going through rivers, going through drains as the recent incident near St Francois College to retrieve items of evidential value... it does not become practical,” Dickson explained.

Last Thursday, a memorandum issued and signed by Police Commissioner Erla Christopher declared that with the exception of the Guard and Emergency Branch, Inter-Agency Task Force, National Operations Task Force and Multi-Operational Police Section, all other officers of the TTPS must be “appropriately attired” with the clothing of their Patrol Order number 3 uniforms (grey and blue outfits).

This order came into effect the following day, according to the memorandum.

The Divisional Commanders of all ten policing divisions were tasked to ensure that these kits and associated items were returned to the Police Quarter Master Stores by yesterday. It was also said that any officer who failed to comply with these directives would face “appropriate disciplinary action”.

This decision comes following several reports of criminals utilising clothing that resembles tactical uniforms of law enforcement to commit robberies, kidnappings and murders.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin, the TTPS has recognised that “drastic times call for drastic measures, and therefore the TTPS has taken a stance because we recognise that the lives of our citizens are at stake”.

The statement was made at a press briefing held at the Police Administration building on October 17.

He added the TTPS kept stringent records of all tactical kits issued, and, as such, he did not foresee any issues of unaccountability of these items of clothing.

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