Young: DNA kits in use soon

NATIONAL Security Minister Stuart Young says police should soon be implementing DNA kits. He was responding to a question in the Senate yesterday. He said 15,000 DNA kits were received in June 2018 and the total cost of delivery including VAT was $314,250, with the cost of each kit $20.95.

Opposition Senator Saddam Hosein asked if the police service had begun using the kits. Young replied the DNA regulations were recently passed in Parliament, “So they are now in the process of implementing and preparing for the implementation and use of the DNA kits.”

He added: “So I don’t believe they are currently in use. Hosein asked what was the delay, as the kits had arrived in June last year. Young said the Parliament records will show the regulations were recently passed. He said a number of other things have to be put in place, including the labs.

“All of this is being structured and put in place. And I am sure that very shortly the DNA kits will be put to use and DNA will become part of the landscape of crime-solving and crimefighting in TT.”

Young was also asked about the number of Special Reserve Police officers (SRPs) who were promoted from September 30, 2015 to January 31, 2019. He replied there were no promotions for that period and the promotion before that was in 2008. He added, however, last month 88 SRPs were promoted. Young also reported that 412 retired officers were currently engaged by the police service as SRPs.