'Vehicle cemetery' cleared from Police Academy

DERELICT vehicles, "laid to rest" many years ago at the Police Academy in St James have been removed, a release from the TTPS indicated today.

The removal, the release stated, is in keeping with a mandate set by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to ensure that the Academy is kept at a standard as so to improve the image and the public's perception of how the Police Service is managed.

The non-functioning vehicles which were removed from the TTPS fleet over the course of several years, as a result of damage sustained during road traffic accidents and mechanical issues, were stored in the savannah located at the front of the Police Academy and greatly reduced the aesthetics of the historical site.

The cleanup drive at the site began at the end of November and is ongoing. Most of the vehicles were taken to vehicle storage facilities in Ste Madeleine and San Fernando, where they are to be assessed to determine the feasibility of repairs, based on cost, condition, age and mileage, the release stated.

Also in November, 64 vehicles at the site were also auctioned off to buyers via the Board of Disposal Process. The initiative was spearheaded by the Head, Administration Someet Ramroop and TTPS Fleet Manager, Michael Julius, with the assistance of the Transport and Telecommunications Branch of the TTPS, at the behest of Commissioner Griffith.

Commissioner Griffith has directed that similar projects take place throughout all police stations, to remove all unserviceable vehicles. The grounds will now be used for recreation and sporting activities by communities.