Warrants don’t always need an address

Police public information officer acting ASP Michael Jackman says a search warrant does not necessarily need to have an address on it. It depends on the type of warrant.

Jackman was responding to questions about a video which circulated last week on social media involving a woman who argued with police because their search warrant did not have an address on it.

He was speaking yesterday at the weekly briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.

“The officers were not breaking into the occupant’s house,“ Jackman said.

”The officers were acting on the authority of a warrant and, if the warrant is one to search, the warrant will give the police officers authorisation. If they are prevented from entering, (they are entitled) to use necessary force to enter the premises. Usually a search warrant would have an address on the document, whether a vague address or one that is very clear and specific. “Some warrants would not have an address on them. It depends on the type of warrant and the reason for it to be issued.”

Meanwhile, acting Snr Supt John Frederick from the Court and Process Branch says there is a need to raise public awareness of the work of the Court and Process Branch in executing warrants.

Frederick said warrants fall into five main categories: warrants that force a person’s attendance before a court, warrants that are issued for non-payment of money owing to the court, warrants that are issued to arrest and convey people to serve a custodial sentence, and warrants issued for non-payment to maintenance/affiliation orders.

He said warrants can be executed at any place and at any time.

“The warrants need not be in the possession of the arresting officer, but the person must be told the reason for the arrest and the warrant read to the person as soon as practicable. Reasonable force can be used to enter and execute these warrants, but the warrant must be in the possession of the arresting officer.”