CoP: We are making gains in crime fighting

POLICE Commissioner (CoP) Allister Guevarro marked his first 100 days in office on September 26 with an open-floor Q&A with the media, a promotion and commendation ceremony for 33 officers and a surprise celebration from his staff.

Guevarro, 49, was approved to become Trinidad and Tobago’s Commissioner of Police (CoP) by all members of the House of Representatives on June 13.

Speaking with the media at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, Guevarro addressed a multitude of issues including the TT Police Service’s (TTPS) achievements during his time in office, the gains made in the fight against crime, the status of ongoing investigations and updates on police resources.

Guevarro noted changes including restructured deployments and fortified intelligence networks have ensured the TTPS is no longer reacting to crime, but instead outpacing it.

“We seized 41 illegal firearms and over 700 rounds of ammunition. We detected nearly 300 serious crimes and we began to turn the tide.”

He said the police’s gains in crime fighting were helped by the state of emergency (SoE) announced on July 18.

“Since the SOE began, we have tripled firearm seizures, doubled ammunition recovery and improved national detection rates from 30 to 35 per cent. In the Southern Division alone, detection surged 68 per cent.

“And compared to last year, we have a 42 per cent reduction in homicides.”

Guevarro said the improvements were more than statistical.

“There are ruptures in the criminal ecosystem. We have exposed the underbelly of organised violence. We have disrupted narcotics networks and intercepted illegal firearms and brought dozens of murder cases closer to resolution.”

He added officers have also engaged in softer policing activities to ensure their presence is not just felt, but also respected.

On the issue of officer safety, Guevarro confirmed that 3,500 bulletproof vests have been purchased and are already being distributed. However, he was blunt on the issue of body-worn cameras, noting the original contract was scrapped because of inflated costs.

“I cannot in good conscience pay $8,000 for a body cam that is selling elsewhere for $2,500 or $3,000,” he said.

He said an audit of the existing devices is underway and the TTPS intends to restart the procurement process “with more reasonableness.”

Asked about repairs to the Police Administration Building itself, Guevarro admitted there was no timeline or cost attached to the project yet. “We are all living in some serious financial times and this being the end of the fiscal year, we are already speaking about fiscal 2026 now,” he said.

The Cocmissioner was also asked about the appointment of retired Snr Supt Johnny Abraham to lead the revived National Operations Centre (NOC).

The NOC was folded into the Strategic Services Agency in 2016 but Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has promised to re-implement the agency.

On September 25, Abraham told Newsday he was approached by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander to lead the organisation.

While careful not to wade into politics, Guevarro welcomed the addition.

“Mr Abraham has about 40-something years of police experience. So any bit of experience or assistance, anybody who is willing to come on board to help Trinidad and Tobago get to that place where we want it to be, we will welcome those persons to get on board,” he said.

Though tight-lipped on what role the TTPS will play in the new-look NOC, Guevarro insisted the service stands ready to work with all agencies in national security.

After 100 days, Guevarro said his record should speak for itself. But he refused to grade his own performance. “I consider myself an employee of this state…you, the public, are my employer. You tell me how I’ve done,” he said.