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Tag: Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro

Historic drop

THE MURDER toll in 2025 reached a ten-year low. That should be celebrated. But it’s no reason for the authorities to become complacent. On the contrary, the tally puts an onus on the state to maintain these gains.

The 369 total confirmed by the police, which is the lowest since 2014, cannot be viewed in isolation.

It came in a year dominated by two states of emergency, first under the PNM and then under the UNC. The first expired in April after just over three months; the second was extended and remains ongoing and will stretch into six months unless it ends earlier.

Even so, the tally is lower than what was recorded in 2020 when drastic covid restrictions were first introduced, and in 2021, when a nationwide state of emergency was declared because of the pandemic.

In those years, which saw unprecedented limitations on civil society and curfews, police reported 393 and 448 murders, respectively.

Notably, 2025’s two states of emergency have not been accompanied by any restrictions on movement. Nonetheless, the tally still fell by a whopping 42 per cent.

That’s even steeper than the drop that occurred in 2011 when a state of emergency was declared in the first Kamla Persad-Bissessar administration. Figures then suggested a drop of about 30 per cent.

Thus, something more may well be at play besides the imposition of extraordinary police powers.

One obvious factor is the fact that the country now has a top cop. The appointment of Allister Guevarro came after the shocking and ignominious end of the tenure of Erla Harewood-Christopher.

It also returned the law enforcement system to a situation in which there was a substantive police commissioner and leader at the helm. Ms Harewood-Christopher, while holding that title, had been subject to one-year extensions at the pleasure of the Rowley-led cabinet due to her having passed the retirement age.

The prime minister has suggested the significant drop is the result of the work not only of the police, but also of her “dedicated team” of cabinet ministers.

Mrs Persad-Bissessar’s reconstitution of the security portfolio as being one divided into separate areas (homeland security, defence, justice and attorney general affairs) means at least four people are now working on national safety 24/7.

Mr Guevarro, too, has been quick to crow about “tactical precision, investigative brilliance, community engagement,” and “diligence behind the scenes.”

The test of such claims will come this year, when all eyes will be on whether the numbers continue to fall.

Some recent criminal justice reforms might well play a role in ensuring that will be the case.

For example, the handing back of power to justices of the peace to rubber stamp warrants could well result in significant short-term gains. Long-term convictions, though, are another matter.

Commissioner on decline in murders, serious crime…'Thanks to cops, not SOE'

COMMISSIONER of Police Allister Guevarro is praising the men and women of the TTPS, as he said improved intelligence-gathering coupled with honest, hard police work – and not the state of emergency (SoE) – were what led to the drastic decline in murders and serious crime.

The TTPS said that the year 2025 concluded with a landmark achievement in public safety with 369 murders being recorded – the lowest in over ten years.

This 42 per cent decline from the previous figure of 626 murders in 2024, marked a significant turning point for the nation, which spent most of 2025 under the shadow of two states of emergency.

The first was in the early part of the year under the then PNM government, and the second was implemented in July under the UNC government. In late October, the SoE was extended for a further three months and will come to an end on January 31.

While some may fear that when the SoE is lifted, murders will rise once again, Commissioner Guevarro said he is confident the measures the TTPS have put in place will have a lasting effect.

TTPS strategies

Guevarro, in WhatsApp messages with Newsday on January 2, emphasised the significance of the milestone, noting that in 2025, TT recorded the lowest number of homicides since 2011.

“That is a significant national achievement. It reflects sustained, intelligence‑driven policing, stronger divisional accountability and a co-ordinated national effort across the police service,” Guevarro said

The top cop said the achievement of a drastic drop in murders was a direct result of deliberate strategies and consistent operational pressure placed on individuals and groups who drive violence in the country.

On concerns about a possible spike following December’s high murder rate, he said the TTPS is always alert to patterns and shifts in criminal behaviour, but added that December traditionally carried unique risks due to increased public activity, interpersonal conflicts and opportunism created by heightened commercial activity.

“What is important is even with December’s numbers, the country still closed the year with the lowest annual total in a decade and a half.”

He stressed that the TTPS remains focused on maintaining this downward trajectory in 2026 through targeted enforcement, offender management and sustained intelligence operations.

“There has been public commentary suggesting the reduction was solely because of the SoE. The country was also under SoEs in 2020, 2021, and 2022 during the covid pandemic,” Guevarro said.

He said those SoEs included strict curfews, lockdowns, limits on movement, and weekend restrictions. However, despite these restrictions, homicide figures in those years were significantly higher than what was achieved in 2025.

Guevarro stressed that the current SoE has no curfew or lockdown and does not restrict public movement. He said this SoE “narrowly focused” on criminal elements and not the general population.

The reduction in murders and serious crimes, he argued, was tied to precision-targeting of specific violent offenders, gang leadership, firearm traffickers, and facilitators, supported by Preventative Detention Orders and intensified intelligence‑led operations.

“The SoE created operational space, but the results which led to these declines came from the hard work of law enforcement officers,” the top cop said.

Regarding if these measures will have a lasting impact, after the SoE ends, Guevarro said, “I would say ‘yes,’ as many of the strategies implemented are not SoE‑dependent. The TTPS has strengthened its intelligence architecture, improved inter‑divisional co-ordination and enhanced its ability to identify, track and disrupt high‑risk individuals.”

Guevarro said the SoE has accelerated the pace at which the police could contain the most violent actors. The long‑term crime‑reduction framework and its strategies will continue beyond the SoE, he added.

“For the officers, they have carried a tremendous operational load over the past eight months. Policing under an SoE requires sustained tempo, extended hours, and rapid deployment. Despite this, our officers have remained professional, disciplined, and committed.”

He said the service has been actively managing leave, rotating personnel, and ensuring welfare and support systems are in place. The commissioner added that the service has also been monitoring fatigue levels and adjusting deployments to maintain both officer well-being and operational effectiveness.

“I am extremely proud of the men and women who delivered these results for the country. Their resilience and dedication have been central to the historic reduction in homicides and serious reported crimes, and the executive of the TTPS will continue to support them as we move into the new year.”

Echoing sentiments shared by Guevarro, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Junior Benjamin noted the successes of 2025 were not merely the result of increased patrols, but a fundamental shift in how the TTPS manages its greatest asset – its officers.

Speaking with Newsday on January 2, DCP Benjamin said the TTPS has pivoted toward “emotional intelligence” and operational flexibility to maintain morale during rigorous anti-crime exercises. To ensure “boots on the ground” without breaking the spirit of the rank and file, the service has moved away from traditional shift patterns.

“For most of the stations, we moved from eight-to-six or six-to-eight shifts to a 24/48-hour rotation,” Benjamin explained. “This allows for more officers on a single shift. While it may result in longer individual working hours, it provides officers with more concentrated blocks of time-off to recover.”

Combating burnout

The intensity of the last two years has taken a toll. Benjamin admitted that after working “assiduously” throughout 2024 and 2025, burnout is a pervasive risk. In response, the Police Social Work Unit has been placed on high alert to provide counselling and mental health support.

“Officers, we believe that may be stressed or showing signs of burnout are referred to the Social Work Unit for assistance,” Benjamin said.

He also praised the unit for safeguarding the mental well-being of the membership. Crucially, despite the demands of the SoE, the service did not suspend vacation leave. “We gave vacation so persons could use that time to exhale,” he added.

Beyond mental health, Benjamin said the TTPS updated standard operating procedures to mitigate physical risks. The provision of modern tactical gear and bulletproof vests has been prioritised to give officers the “comfort and confidence” necessary to execute their mandates in high-risk environments.

Towards 2026

As the country is now in the third day of the new year, the TTPS aims to evolve from a rigid command structure toward one defined by collaboration. Benjamin credits this improved communication flow for the “greater level of buy-in” from officers, which he believes was the catalyst for meeting the 2025 goals.

However, questions remain regarding the sustainability of these gains. Newsday reached out also to Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander to ask if he was concerned about a potential spike in violence following the December surge.

Additionally, questions were raised if he believes the measures implemented during the SoE can have a lasting impact once the emergency orders expire. As of time of publication, Alexander had not responded.

2025’s peaks and valleys

According to data from the TTPS, the murder tally began in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2025. Keegan Barbour, 39, became the first murder victim of that year – a tragic milestone in a month that eventually claimed 33 lives.

The first half of the year saw a constant tug-of-war between law enforcement and criminal activity. While February offered a slight reprieve with 28 murders, violence escalated in March with 37 killings. The pace remained steady through April (32) and May (30), followed by 29 in June.

The mid-year period signalled the start of the country’s most volatile stretch.

July emerged as one of the two deadliest months with 39 murders, a figure matched only by a surge in October. Conversely, the third quarter offered the year’s most significant relief; August (23) and September (20) recorded the lowest monthly totals of the year.

While official TTPS statistics for December are still being finalised, Newsday calculations – based on the 332 murders recorded through November – indicate December saw approximately 37 killings. This year-end spike brought the final total for 2025 to 369.

Contraband stashed in Maximum Security Prison air vents

A MAJOR raid at the Maximum Security Prison (MSP) in Arouca on November 25, led to the discovery of a massive stash of contraband items hidden in the air vents of the prisons, which police crawled through as part of the raid.

The search, conducted between 5.30 pm and 9 pm, was part of an intelligence-driven initiative involving several key units from the TTPS and Prisons Service.

The operation was co-ordinated by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, acting Commissioner of Prisons Hayden Forde, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin and senior police officers Raymond Thom, Maynard-Wilson and Gift.

It was led by Senior Superintendent of Prisons Lee Davis, along with a team of officers from various specialized units, including the Northern North Gang Unit and the Prison Emergency Response Unit.

A search of the prison’s ventilation system, along with other areas, uncovered a staggering array of contraband including cell phones, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, wrapping paper, digital scales, a solar panel charger, USB chargers, USB power banks, a hammer, screwdrivers, a cutlass, $2,012, watches, knives, tattooing needles and…a bottle of cologne.

Acting Prisons Commissioner Forde said the discovery highlights ongoing challenges in the prison system to combat the flow of contraband and maintaining security within correctional facilities. Forde said he strongly suspects the majority of the items was smuggled in through drone delivery.

He said the issue of drones has plagued the prison system for the past two years and the prison service continues to struggle in dealing with it.

Speaking with Newsday on November 26, he said, “We are not in a position to treat with the drone issue unless we get much-needed drone interceptor devices to reduce the efforts of criminals trying to bring in these items.

“It’s unabated, but we will continue to do what we can, working closely with the police service.”

The prisons commissioner stressed the need for immediate procurement of drone interception technology, which he believes would significantly reduce the flow of contraband.

Forde said the procurement process is ongoing, but he had no timeline as to when the critical equipment would be acquired.

“My hope is that it will not be too long. The sooner, the better, obviously…like yesterday!”

Forde said these contraband items, especially the digital devices, posed a direct and serious threat to the prisons service and its officers ,had they reached the intended criminal hands.

Cellphones allow prisoners to not only continue external criminal activities but to co-ordinate criminal activities from within the prisons to the detriment of the prisons service and prison officers.

The drugs seized, he added, fuels gang violence and criminal enterprises inside and outside the prisons.

“This seizure is massive,” Forde emphasised.

“These items can be used to continue unlawful activities. Once the trade is taking place, it means funds are gained which in turn fuel gang activity, which puts the public at risk.”

While praising officers involved in the operation, Forde acknowledged there would likely be repercussions from the prison population.

However, he urged officers to remain steadfast in their mission to ensure public safety, despite any threats or retaliation they may face.

“There may be backlash, but we have a job to do. If we do not do our job, who else will do it? How will the public be safe?”

Forde said no arrests were made as the items were not found directly in anyone’s possession, but police sources said investigations into the origins of the contraband and those responsible for smuggling it into the prison, remain ongoing.

“We are going to continue searching officers, we are going to continue to search divisions to try to rid the service of these things, in order to assist in the protection of society,” Forde said.

CoP to illegal quarry operators: Beware the vengeance of Moko

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Allister Guevarro has warned illegal quarry operators against engaging in the illicit act lest they face the full brunt of the law.

“If you do not have an FUL (firearms users’ licence) would you walk around with a firearm? No, because you will be charged with possession. So if you don’t have a licence for the purpose of aggregate processing and quarrying, you open yourselves to being charged.

“Do not break the law. Or the vengeance of Moko will fall on you.”

He was speaking at the police passing-out parade where 126 trainees graduated as police officers at the Police Training Academy in St James on November 17.

He was responding to questions from reporters after the TT aggregate producers alliance (TTALPA) said they were comfortable to open their doors, even though they didn’t have a licence.

Last week at a media conference held at the Hilton Trinidad TTAPA president Nigel Tenia said that while members do not have a formal licence, they were given a “level of comfort” after discussions with the Ministry of Energy.

However, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander said he heard nothing about talks with the organisation.

“If a conversation was held it will trickle down from one ministry to another. I have not heard anything so I stand with the commissioner on this and say exactly – if you do not have the relevant licence do not go and do that activity,” Alexander said.

In October quarry operator Danny Guerra and several others were arrested and charged with the unlawful processing of aggregate. Guerra was released on $50,000 bail.

Earlier this month, quarry operators protested in Turure, Sangre Grande, expressing concern that they may be arrested for operating without a processing licence. They complained that other prominent quarry operators were being allowed to operate without a licence while they were being targeted by the cops.

CoP mum on police involvement in US military training

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE Allister Guevarro kept his lips sealed on whether the police were involved in key crime-fighting joint training exercises with the US military’s 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“The involvement of the TTPS in the training is something that is strategic in nature and it will be remiss of me to advertise to the nation what we are doing,” Guevarro said at the passing-out parade for police officers at the Police Training Academy in St James on November 17.

At a media conference on November 14, Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers announced that military personnel from the Marine Expeditionary Unit will hold training exercises with local armed forces at a press conference on November 14.

Sobers said the exercises would take place across the country and will be part of ongoing efforts to build capacity in local armed forces.

Earlier, during a speech at the parade, where 126 trainees – 114 male and 12 female – were newly minted as police officers, Minister of Homeland security Roger Alexander called on them to be exemplary police officers, saying that they are now charged with protecting the nation’s beauty.

“Your uniform is not just fabric,” he said. “It is a declaration that you understand a simple truth – that the beauty of our nation depends on you.”

He said after years of challenging times at the hands of criminal elements, TT has begun to shine.

“The people feel safe. When people feel safe they create a heaven on earth. You have become guardians of TT.”

He pointed out that since the government took office in May, the country has seen real and measurable progress in the fight against crime. Pointing out that more than 4,400 crimes had been reported, a third of the crimes have been solved.

He also noted that there has been a significant reduction in murders and an increase in firearm seizures. He highlighted that in August, TT saw its lowest murder toll in ten years.

“More offenders have been held accountable, more cases have been closed and more justice has been done for victims and their families.”

He commended the CoP and the TTPS for all the work they have done but he also gave a special thanks to the US whose military presence in the region has resulted in a significant decline in the transshipment of gun and drugs and in human trafficking.

“We have strong partners in the Americans. They are in our region, taking down international crime in open waters. They are seeking after the ‘big fish’and we are grateful for their assistance in the fight.”

Speaking to reporters after the parade, Guevarro commended the homicide division on its work in detecting murders, which has also added to the overall reduction in crime.

“We have seen a drop in the level of homicides but we have also seen a rise in detection rate. The homicide department under the stewardship under superintendent Dhilpaul is doing a magnificent job at the level of homicide investigations to bring closure.”

He noted that recent homicides have been solved in quick time, while homicides from years ago have also been solved.

“Homicide investigations are very complex in nature and some of them will drag on for years. So I am satisfied that the officers in the homicide bureau are able to do yeoman’s service given the resources that they have.”

No need for moko fear, CoP

THE EDITOR: Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro would have no need to intimidate the citizenry with the “vengeance of moko” (“CoP: US strikes disrupting drug and contraband flow,” Guardian, November 5) if he addressed tangibly the reason people do not inform his officers about wrongdoers.

The Police Service Act (and parliamentarians of all stripes) prevent Guevarro from ridding his organisation of its extorters, its murderers, its kidnappers, its people traffickers and its pimps. The judiciary and the Director of Public Prosecutions offer him no help either.

It amuses no one to hear references to local cultural figures when the CoP is supposed to be commenting on brutal, ubiquitous crime. Guevarro’s officers know who among their well-outfitted, sometimes incompetent, often indifferent colleagues are wrongdoers.

They may be hesitating, as is certainly the citizenry, to report their colleagues because no tangible result will follow. Instead, suspension on half pay results, which is, in fact, an improvement in circumstances.

In the history of the police service has ever an officer been dismissed?

The police should fear the vengeance of moko; the citizenry continue to fear every day in TT.

A BLADE

via e-mail

TTPS testing digital FUL application system

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has announced a new initiative aimed at improving the firearm licensing process.

At a media briefing at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, on November 4, Guevarro said the TTPS has launched a digital Firearm User’s Licence (FUL) application system, which is currently in the testing phase with 1,000 applicants.

“We are now testing the digital FUL system, which will make the process more efficient and accessible for the public,” Guevarro explained.

He added that the testing phase would allow the TTPS to fine-tune the system before it is fully rolled out to the public.

The system is seen as a significant step forward in modernising the TTPS’ services.

The initiative is expected to streamline the application process and make it easier for firearm owners to interact with the TTPS.

Guevarro added, “This is taking it into a different direction. Digitising the application of FUL files will indeed be a great benefit not only to the members of the TTPS but to the members of the public.”

The TTPS is also ramping up efforts to ensure a safe and secure holiday season, with new initiatives aimed at tackling crime and public safety during the festive period.

As the country prepares for Christmas and Carnival 2026, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Suzette Martin, who is leading the operations, outlined the strategy.

Martin said while large crowds and more public gatherings during Christmas and Carnival pose a heightened risk for criminal activity, police are fully committed to maintaining order and protecting citizens and visitors, particularly under the current state of emergency (SoE).

“As we approach this busy period, we are aware that celebrations can attract criminal activity. Our goal is to ensure the public enjoys the season in safety.”

She emphasised the importance of a co-ordinated, intelligence-driven policing.

Martin said the police’s strategy will be built around three pillars – high visibility policing, intelligence-led operations and strong community partnerships.

She said this will ensure a safer environment across commercial districts, entertainment zones, transportation hubs, and residential areas.

“We will be increasing both foot and mobile patrols in key areas. Our tactical units, highway patrols, and divisional teams will be working together on joint exercises aimed at crime prevention, managing traffic, and improving overall public safety.”

Martin noted real-time monitoring and crime pattern analysis will also be part of the operational framework, allowing police to respond swiftly and adjust deployments as needed.

She said the TTPS has also partnered with the TT Defence Force, municipal police, and other national security agencies to ensure seamless coverage across the country.

Looking ahead to Carnival 2026, Martin said that planning is already in progress.

The TTPS will work closely with the National Carnival Commission (NCC), event organisers, and bandleaders to ensure the smooth running of events and the safety of attendees.

“We are already in discussions with all the relevant stakeholders to ensure the security of large-scale events, managing traffic flow, and maintaining public order. We will pay special attention to major events, fetes, and the overall flow of people during the Carnival period.”

However, Martin called on the public to do their part to ensure a safe festive season.

She encouraged citizens to remain vigilant, particularly during the busy shopping and entertainment periods.

“Simple steps like safeguarding your personal belongings, avoiding large cash transactions, and co-operating with officers can make a significant difference in preventing crime.”

She also urged business owners and event promoters to liaise with local police stations to assist with crowd control and traffic management.

Martin reassured citizens that the TTPS remains fully mobilised to ensure their safety.

“We are ready for the festive season and Carnival 2026. We are asking for the public’s cooperation to help us make this time of year peaceful and safe for everyone.”

Top cop’s mixed recommendation

COMMISSIONER of Police Allister Guevarro on July 17, privately petitioned Cabinet for the declaration of a state of emergency (SoE), based on what he later publicly described as “a co-ordinated and highly dangerous criminal network” operating within prisons, which was “actively mobilising resources and orchestrating targeted attacks against senior officials.”

More than three months, and one extension later, the top cop this week declared the initial threat “decisively addressed.” Yet, he nonetheless now recommends that Parliament today, October 31, extend the SoE, which deprives citizens of key rights, for a further three months.

His reasons? He won’t say.

“I submitted a classified report to the National Security Council, which includes operational assessments and recommendations,” Mr Guevarro said on October 29.

“The contents of that report are not for public disclosure, given the sensitivity of the material.” He added, “The decision to extend the state of emergency falls squarely within the remit of Parliament.”

If you are confused by all of this, we don’t blame you. Having foisted the SoE on the nation, Mr Guevarro now appears to have washed his hands of the need to explain the reasons for another extension.

The top cop’s baffling manoeuvres are at odds not only with his position in July, but also with the transparency he promised to bring to the post.

They are notably consistent with the line recently taken by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander in Parliament over the need not to disclose matters that touch upon national security.

Mr Guevarro may well have excellent reasons for not wishing to go into the confidential report he has freely shared with Cabinet officials. However, the problem is that the SoE cannot be extended for rationales that don’t clearly relate to the original, specific grounds that prompted it.

Muddying the waters further is Mr Guevarro’s inappropriate response to questions about whether the extension might have something to do with regional tensions involving Venezuela and the US.

“I will respectfully steer clear of that, as my role is to protect and serve the people of TT, not Caracas,” he said.

But the role of the top cop is to manage the police service, whose officers are tasked with maintenance of law and order, the prevention and detection of crime and the prosecution of offenders – all within these islands and regardless of nationalities involved.

It’s astonishing that Mr Guevarro this week was not able to say that.

It is baffling why he now chooses to hide behind the fig leaf of parliamentary procedure in relation to his own measure.

Manuel Congo illegal quarrying – Cycle of raid, rebuild, resume ended

FOLLOWING a Sunday Newsday Page 1 story, on June 29, on an illegal quarrying site in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, then newly-minted Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro visited the site in July, and the operation was shut down.

However, in a shocking development, on October 9 – just three months after his initial visit – Guevarro returned to the same location, this time declaring that the police was shutting down for good, a multimillion-dollar illegal quarrying outfit that included modern machinery which cleared acres of virgin forests, bit into hills and the ground, chewed up tonnes of earth and rock and converted them into aggregate worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

This development follows a series of public warnings and an in-depth investigation by Newsday.

In March 2025, the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) issued a statement condemning illegal quarrying operations polluting the Guanapo River.

WASA said a contractor had been discharging effluent directly into drains feeding the river, visibly discolouring the watercourse and threatening operations of the Caroni Water Treatment Plant which provides potable water to hundreds of thousands of people.

While the plant continued to meet safety standards, WASA warned this was not an isolated event. Similar incidents in 2021 had forced service disruptions.

Despite the severity of the warning, no significant enforcement action was taken in the months that followed.

QUARRYING OPERATIONS UNEARTHED

Then in June, Sunday Newsday published a detailed exposé uncovering the scale of the illegal quarrying. On June 25, officers from the Multi-Agency Task Force, an elite police unit, were alerted to the activity and a report was swiftly delivered to Commissioner Guevarro.

That Newsday investigation alleged the operator, based in Sangre Grande, had illegally excavated more than five hectares of state land, moving tonnes of aggregate on to nearby private property.

The operator, who did not possess a mining licence, was also linked to quarrying activities in Melajo, Matura, Wallerfield, and other areas.

These operations – which saw acres of virgin forests denuded, untold numbers of wildlife displaced and many rivers polluted and turned into slush ponds – continued for years under the watch of the Ministry of Energy (the line ministry for mining), the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Forestry Division, with little to no intervention

Sources claimed the operator had political connections across major parties and used profits from illegal quarrying to fund real estate developments and other legitimate business ventures.

On June 27, Newsday shared its findings with WASA. The following day, WASA issued a strongly-worded statement condemning the “reckless and unlawful” discharge of effluent into tributaries leading to the Guanapo River.

WASA INTERVENES

WASA said the pollution already compromised water-production efficiency at the Caroni plant, forcing the authority to implement additional purification measures to maintain safety standards. The agency confirmed it was working with other regulatory bodies to halt the activity.

In response to mounting public concern, widespread media attention and social media condemnation, Commissioner Guevarro led a “targeted operation” on July 2, visiting illegal quarrying sites in Sangre Grande, Valencia and Manuel Congo.

A TTPS press release on July 3 confirmed the raid, acknowledging the serious environmental and infrastructural impacts of illegal quarrying, including disruptions to WASA’s operations. The release also noted that investigations were underway to determine the extent of any criminal conduct linked to the sites.

Following the police operation, the Guanapo site appeared to have ceased activity.

This however, was short-lived, as operations not only resumed but were expanded to the point that when the police led a raid on October 9, the plant was complete with modern quarrying facilities including motorised conveyor belts, aggregate washing facilities and specialised heavy machinery.

It remains to be seen where investigations will lead, as police confirmed that at least 19 people were arrested in the October 9 raid, including the owner of the Manuel Congo illegal quarry who police described as the “big boss” of illegal quarrying in the country.

CoP: TTPS bigger than any one person

COMMISSIONER of Police Allister Guevarro says the Police Service is bigger than any one person and will not be derailed by people with their own agendas.

In a statement on September 20, Guevarro addressed the recent circulation of a confidential document detailing accumulated leave of senior police officers.

“This document, leaked to a social media blogger by a ‘not so anonymous’ source, was done with petty malice and reckless disregard for institutional integrity.”

He said, “Let me be unequivocal; that the decision to have the officer proceed on his accumulated leave, was done so in accordance with his lawful entitlements and in alignment with strategic planning, and not as a result of personal targeting.

Guevarro added, “The narrative being peddled is not only false, but also deliberately misleading and designed to sow discord.”

He expressed concern about the breach of confidentiality.

“The unauthorised release of internal personnel data was geared towards disrupting carefully co-ordinated deployment strategies and exposed sensitive information that should never have been weaponised for personal vindication.”

Guevarro said, “This act is not whistleblowing; it is outright sabotage.”

He reminded all police officers and the public that “our duty is to protect and serve, not to indulge in theatrics or social media sensationalism.”

Guevarro said, “Commentary without context, and criticism without facts, do nothing to strengthen our institutions, they only erode public trust.

He expressed his commitment to to transparency, fairness, and the welfare of every officer under his command.

But Guevarro said, “I will not tolerate attempts to undermine this service through cowardly leaks and distorted narratives.”

He added, “When a disgruntled officer chooses to masquerade as a whistle-blower, armed only with vacation leave spreadsheets and wounded pride, it is less an act of courage and more akin to a tantrum in uniform.”

Guevarro said, “The only thing anonymous about this leak is the integrity it lacked.”

A daily newspaper published a lead story on September 16, speaking to the reassignment of portfolios among Deputy Police Commissioners (DCPs) Junior Benjamin, Natasha George and Suzette Martin.

That newspaper’s story also highlighted that ACP (South) Wayne Mystar was sent on 16 months vacation leave. The story claimed these developments had left members of the executive in shock and came amidst tension and discord among the police hierarchy.

At that time, Guevarro said the story was false.

Guevarro said the reassignment of the portfolios of Benjamin, George and Martin was planned and was in no way an indictment on their performance.

“It was planned to coincide with two key milestones. First, the completion of one year in office by each of these dedicated senior officers, in their respective portfolios, and secondly, my 100 days in office as CoP.”

He said the timing of the reassignment of portfolios among the three DCPs was intentional and reflected a structured approach to executive development.

“It was designed to deepen cross-divisional expertise and ensure our leadership remains agile, well-rounded and responsive to evolving demands of national security

Regarding Mystar’s vacation, Guevarro said this too, was a strategic move as part of managing senior leadership capacity.

Guevarro said since Mystar holds a strategic-level position, he thus falls outside of operational and tactical command levels, and his absence through vacation in no way compromises or weakens the police’s day to day operations.

He reiterated that, “Leadership decisions within the TTPS (TT Police Service) are guided by institutional priorities and not personalities or speculation.”

13-year-old charged with trafficking ganja at school

POLICE have charged a 13-year-old male student of Coryal Secondary School, Cumuto, with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The student was held with 1.6 grams of marijuana and wrapping paper at the school on September 17.

Reports indicate that around 11.30 am on that day, officers attached to the School Oriented Policing Unit received information and acted swiftly to search the student, finding the drugs in his pocket. He was cautioned and informed of the offence and taken to the administration office where officers from the community policing section and Cumuto Police Station were called in to assist.

In light of this incident, parents are being urged to be more vigilant and take note of what their children are transporting in their schoolbags.

President of the National Council of Parent Teacher Association president Walter Stewart said this incident was “highly regrettable and grossly unfortunate” and called for greater parental involvement in their children’s personal and academic life.

“This is a wake-up call and an appeal for parents/guardians to draw closer to their children, know where your child is, who their friends are and what they are being exposed tom” Stewart said.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro expressed similar concerns.

DCP Junior Benjamin, a liaison officer for the School Oriented Policing Unit, read the riot act to students and parents, stating that there would be zero tolerance to drugs, weapons and indiscipline in school.

In a phone interview with the Newsday, Benjamin encouraged parents to take a more active role in their children’s lives ensuring that their school bags contain books, pens and pencils and not drugs and weapons.

“Anyone who violates the standing procedure of the school would be dealt with. There will be severe consequences if you are found with anything illegal on your person.”

Commenting on this situation and two incidents at Preysal Secondary school, one in which a police officer was locked in a classroom and the other involving a female student who became disruptive, verbally confronting an officer during a mandatory bag check at the school’s entrance, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander questioned, “Are we dealing with children?”

Prison officer presses for faster review of SoE detention

THE acting assistant superintendent of prisons detained under the ongoing state of emergency is pressing for an earlier hearing of his preventive detention order, insisting he is innocent and has no links to gang activity.

The Review Tribunal has scheduled September 18 to hear his challenge. But his attorney, Krystal Primus, is pushing for the date to be brought forward, arguing that her client’s detention is both unlawful and disproportionate.

Primus first wrote to the tribunal on August 22, requesting a review. Then, in a follow-up letter on September 1, she urged the tribunal’s secretary to expedite the hearing, stressing the urgency of the matter.

“A man is sitting in jail, not charged with a crime, not ordered by any court that he cannot access bail.”

She said the detention amounted to an abuse of power, noting that the Minister of Homeland Security had already disclosed the grounds for the order.

In her appeal for an earlier date, Primus argued that the original allegations underpinning the order were “invalid and untrue.” She also contended that preventive detention should only be used sparingly, to forestall imminent threats, and not as punishment for past accusations.

Primus pointed to Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro’s statement on August 12, in which he admitted the threat that triggered the SoE had been “neutralised.” Yet, she said, her client remains behind bars with no charges laid.

“The tribunal’s schedule may be busy,” Primus acknowledged, “but given the pressing nature of this case, which would ordinarily warrant an emergency habeas corpus application, the continued delay is unjustified.”

She said her client was ready to respond.

“In the circumstances, it appears both the minister and the defence are ready to proceed on this matter, and it is the Review Tribunal that appears to be causing delay,” she wrote.

The detention order, issued on August 18, accused the officer of being linked to the Radical Islamic Criminal Gang and other groups, claiming he used his position to assist incarcerated leaders, smuggle contraband, and facilitate plots against public officials. Authorities branded him “a serious threat to public safety.”

The officer has firmly rejected the allegations, calling them “hearsay and propaganda.” Through his lawyer, he said he remains resolute and is determined to clear his name.

His detention has drawn national attention, particularly amid ongoing revelations about security breaches in prisons and the alleged complicity of rogue officers.

Since the state of emergency was declared on July 18, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has issued dozens of preventive detention orders against alleged gang leaders, enforcers, and facilitators. The Review Tribunal was established to assess challenges from detainees contesting their detention.

TTPS: Unexpected protector of history

DEBBIE JACOB

BITTERSWEET is the best way I can describe last week’s news that the Barbados government had purchased TT production company Banyan Ltd’s archives, which contain four decades of Caribbean cultural and historical heritage.

I ran the gamut of feelings, from joy that Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley recognised the significance of preserving this gold mine of cultural treasures to sadness that, once again, we had failed as a nation to preserve and value our own historical resources. Why couldn’t we see what Barbados had no trouble recognising? Our country’s ambivalence about its history puzzles me.

Gratefully, we have the National Trust of TT, our stalwart guardian of tangible cultural and historical artefacts, mostly visible in the historical buildings they protect. The Carnival Institute, dedicated to preserving Carnival culture and artefacts, has had some glorious moments, but it has largely gone silent since pan historian and film-maker Kim Johnson retired from the helm.

I am gratefully but painfully aware of how Timmy Mora, head of Visual Art and Production Ltd, has rescued cultural, historical and political archives from independent and government sources. He has the equipment to preserve archives. He bought and catalogued Carnival film between 1858 and 1972 from businessman Ernest Phills.

But how do we get the public to realise the importance of preserving history, and how do we get more people, companies and government agencies to invest in rescuing our history from oblivion? Surely the situation is not hopeless.

A few days after hearing about Banyan’s good fortune, I got a pleasant surprise that gave me room for hope. The chain of unexpected events went like this: Police Museum curator Kara Roopsingh informed me that the Police Academy Library plans to keep copies of my book Police Dogs of Trinidad and Tobago: A 70-Year-History in its library.

She arranged for a handover at the police headquarters in Port of Spain. The event, with Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro present, turned out to be a celebration of the police canine section and its history for International Dog Day on August 26.

Soon, Roopsingh will reopen the Police Museum, proving in another important way that history is important to the TTPS. We think of the police as reactive, operating in the moment, oblivious to culture or history. Ideally, their function is to wipe out crime, but it turns out their mission is also, in some small but significant way, to protect history.

The police dogs’ history has its place in bookstores, the police recruits’ library, in the Police Museum, in Costaatt’s policing class and the Hugh Wooding Law School’s book club. So the police dogs’ history lives on. I managed to preserve it before the Caroni flood of 2018 claimed the dogs’ files.

I hope other companies and organisations will have that vision of preserving history that the police did under Police Commissioners James Philbert and Stephen Williams and Mounted and Canine Branch Superintendents Patsy Joseph and Geoffrey Hospedales. For 14 years I had unrestricted access to police canine officers and permission to use the dogs’ files. The police never interfered with my work in writing this book.

In my daydreams, I see other writers like me surrounded by historical records to tell an important story that would have been lost without our efforts. I wish the dogs’ files had been digitised and preserved.

I have experienced support in every step of my research and writing journey from the day Sgt Larry Millette dusted off the first dog file for me to my book launch last year at the Cascade/St Ann’s Community Centre where police communications officer Joanne Archie and DCP Wayne Mystar came to show their support.

When Mottley announced she had bought Banyan’s archives at the Carifesta celebration on August 22, Christopher Laird had described the agreement as “extraordinary.”

He said he had tried for a decade to get local companies to buy Banyan’s archives. Comedian Errol Fabian also lamented the lack of interest in Trinidad for preserving that history.

As I stood in police headquarters last week, holding my book in one hand and shaking the commissioner’s hand with the other, I thought about how, even in a state of emergency, the police made time to honour and preserve a piece of history.

In my book, the police have set an example for other individuals, companies and even the government to follow. It seems the police have figured out what we should all know: you can’t operate in the present without knowing and honouring your past.

Prison officer held under SoE detention order

A prison officer has been detained on allegations of gang involvement, security sources confirmed.

Sources told Newsday, the officer was held on August 21 between 9 pm and 10 pm, and was taken to the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC) in Santa Rosa. His current location is unknown at this time, as he is expected to be questioned by the police.

National security sources indicated he was held under a preventive detention order. On August 20, a police officer was also detained on a similar order. He reportedly has longstanding allegations of illicit activity against him, including alleged trips to Venezuela to procure illegal items. He was asked to take a polygraph test, which he refused, and was later transferred to a station in the North Eastern division in 2021. The transfer was intended to curb his alleged activities, but intelligence suggested they continued.

Sources said the prison officer had ties to a suspected gang leader detained at Teteron Barracks, Chaguaramas, and was accused of helping smuggle contraband into the facility.

A security breach at Staubles Bay forced authorities to shuffle some high-risk inmates back to Teteron.

Some inmates, all classified as high-risk and accused of plotting murders, kidnappings, and gang wars from behind bars, were yanked out of Staubles Bay on August 21, after it was uncovered that contraband was smuggled into the coast guard’s headquarters.

The prisoners, just one short of a dozen, were originally removed from Building 13 at the Maximum Security Prison, Arouca, on July 18, the very day a state of emergency was declared after intelligence exposed a deadly conspiracy to assassinate police, prison officers, and even members of the judiciary.

The men were shifted three weeks later from Teteron to Staubles Bay until this latest breach. Both military bases were declared official prisons under Legal Notice No 250, giving the army legal authority to cage the men under the Prisons Act.

Now back inside Teteron, the inmates are in a location so sealed off that not even a cellphone signal can escape.

A similar breach took place weeks ago involving an attempt to smuggle cellphones to the army base. This led to amendments to the scope of the emergency powers regulations being widened to include a broader range of prohibited items, introduce new legal definitions, and specifically target the smuggling of contraband into prisons. It is now an offence to possess any prohibited article if there is a reasonable suspicion it has been in a prison, is intended for a prisoner, or is meant to be smuggled into a prison by any means.

So far, 33 detention orders have been gazetted for alleged gang leaders and members. A tribunal established to receive requests from detainees for a review of their detention has received three applications.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro confirmed the detention of the two law enforcement officers.

“The TTPS will use every lawful measure available under the state of emergency to disrupt and dismantle criminal syndicates.

“The TTPS is acting strategically and intentionally, which send a clear message that the police service will do what is necessary to ensure that rule of law will prevail.”

He said the detentions underscored the police’s intelligence apparatus and its capacity to act decisively against those seeking to destabilise the country.

Police admin building shame

ON FEBRUARY 17, a fire alarm went off at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain. That officials exited the building that day calmly suggested the incident was routine. We now know, thanks to disclosures made by top cop Allister Guevarro on August 19, that, in fact, the building has been “plagued” with issues “for quite some time.”

Something as rudimentary as building maintenance should not trigger a crisis of confidence in police administration. But, shamefully and embarrassingly, that is precisely what happened this week when the same system on the sixth floor went off, this time soaking records while kindling conspiracies.

It was a crisis of the police’s own making.

On August 18, a lengthy media release announced, “a rupture in the fire suppression system” had caused “significant damage.” Critical records were irrecoverably spoiled by the very system which had been designed to protect them. It was further disclosed the documents had been placed in a “designated secure room,” there were no digital copies and a wide range of material was affected, including firearms licence files.

One day later, Mr Guevarro himself was forced to douse the flames of panic. He said the country’s 55,000 firearms files were, in fact, safe, being stored at a separate site. Only an unspecified number brought to his office were affected.

But the damage has been done. Dreaming up nefarious possibilities is not hard in a country where court exhibits are eaten by rats, where 28,000 rounds of military-grade ammunition vanishes and where trust in the police is low.

Shaken has been confidence yet again in what is going on at Sackville Street. The building appears sturdy. But inside, according to Mr Guevarro, is a litany of problems. There is one elevator. Air conditioners don’t work. A microwave can create chaos.

Reacting to these disclosures were opposition MPs Stuart Young and Marvin Gonzales, who knocked the government for not providing “the necessary financial resources” and the use of paper records. But this is rich coming from two individuals who, as former security ministers, had responsibility for addressing such things only four months ago. The UNC is yet to present a full budget.

What should be questioned is this: to what use was the $27.3 million allocated by the PNM to the police in the last fiscal package for “Repairs and Maintenance – Buildings” put?

The problem here is not funding. Nor is it the building’s age.

Only ineptitude explains a situation in which officials deem a room “secure” for papers but do not foresee sprinklers going off. For this, the cops have only themselves to blame. As ever, it is citizens, whose firearms applications will be further delayed, who must pay the price.

Cop stabbed in El Dorado at home

A senior police officer confirmed on July 28 that the injured officer involved in a violent domestic incident in El Dorado over the weekend has been discharged from the hospital and is now resting with relatives.

Cpl Persad was attacked and stabbed several times by a suspect, Mustapha Rawlins, 42.

Rawlins was fatally shot during the ordeal on July 26, when officers from the North Central Division Task Force (West) responded to a domestic violence report around 1.30 pm.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro visited the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope shortly after the incident to check on the officer’s condition.

Guevarro commended the medical staff for their swift and professional response.

“This incident underscores the relentless threats faced by my officers as they risk their lives on a daily basis to protect concerned citizens in TT,” he said via a voice note.

He said the police stand united in support of Persad and his family during this critical time.

The top cop called on the nation to rally around this “brave officer,” who sacrificed, exemplifying the courage and commitment embedded in the hearts of all law enforcement officers.

Guevarro added, “Our prayers remain with him and his loved ones at this time.”

When the officers had responded to the report, they heard screams from inside the house and ordered Rawlins to open the door.

He refused and barricaded himself inside with two elderly female relatives.

Persad and his team forced their way into the house, where Rawlins attacked and stabbed him with a knife.

Police shot Rawlins, and both men were taken to the hospital. However, Rawlins was declared dead on arrival.

Neighbours said Rawlins had a long history of erratic and violent behaviour.

Defence Minister: State will stamp out Toco gangs

TOCO/Sangre Grande MP and Defence Minister Wayne Sturge has backed residents’ warnings that gangs have taken root in the serene seaside community of Rampanalgas.

In a wide-ranging exclusive interview at his Abercromby Street office on July 23, he confirmed residents’ fears that criminals were using the quiet coastal areas of north east Trinidad as a base of operations, but said the government is committed to eradicating that activity.

His statement comes as the country endures yet another state of emergency imposed after Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro said gangleaders were working together to form “an organised syndicate” planning assassinations, robberies and kidnappings.

On July 21, kidnap victim Satie Karim was freed from an abandoned beach house on the Toco Main Road and one of her kidnappers was shot dead during the dramatic rescue.

Speaking with Newsday the next day, residents said they believed a gang had infiltrated the community.

They claimed the events surrounding Karim had nothing to do with villagers and was orchestrated by outsiders.

“It’s those who infiltrate the village and influence the villagers unknowing to them.”

A resident validated the CoP’s comments, described the gang in the area as an “organised set-up.”

The resident added they believed gang members were attracted to the area as the beach houses were not always occupied, and some had been altogether abandoned.

Minister of Defence and Toco/Sangre Grande MP Wayne Sturge. – File photo

They said police had warned them the area was not what it once was and urged them to keep their doors locked, whether they were home or not.

“Police warned me after this incident that the area is not what it was sixty years ago…”

Police told Newsday on July 22, they could not confirm the existence of gangs in the area but ACP Richard Smith said the residents’ suspicions would still be investigated as residents would know the area better.

He said police planned to meet with residents and officers from the Toco station district to determine whether there was a gang operating in the area or “if it’s just something that the residents are saying because of what happened.”

MP: Toco attractive to gangs

Sturge, though, insists the residents’ claims are valid.

He said he became aware of gang presence in the area during weeks of general election campaigning and through his ongoing work in the constituency.

Sturge opined there were several factors that contribute to the growth of gangs over the last decade.

“That is a result of squatting, relocation and because of the neglect of the community for the last couple decades and the past ten years in particular.”

But beyond location, Sturge pointed to deeper, systemic issues.

“There’s very little by way of sustainable employment, very little in terms of opportunities, and people join gangs, as the sociologists say, because they feel a sense of belonging and they have protection from outside elements.”

He shared residents’s views and believed criminals were drawn to Toco because of its isolation and resources.

“There’s illegal activity in the area because it’s on the coast. So there would be drugs, guns, some human trafficking…”

“There’s also a lot of illegal quarrying. So that fuels other illegal activities, such as guns and drugs.”

Minister: Government intends to act

Sturge, who also holds the portfolios of Minister of Defence and Minister in the Ministry of Homeland Security, said he could not share full details of the government’s plans to dismantle gang operations in Toco.

He assured the public, though, that the issue was not being left idle.

“It is something that is actively engaging our attention, and we intend to act,” he declared.

Beyond national security efforts, he emphasised the need for long-term, community-based solutions.

He noted the lack of jobs was “the biggest cry” in that constituency.

Sturge then pivoted briefly to the state of several national-security organisations.

He used them as an example to highlight the irony of high unemployment despite widespread vacancies across the public sector.

“A number of government agencies happen to be short staffed (such as) Customs and Excise, the military and the police service. Outside of that, there are other agencies which do not fall under national security that are also severely short staffed.

“So if you have so many government agencies and ministries being short staffed, then why is there such a high unemployment problem?”

He said the government hoped to tackle both problems at once.

“What we are moving to do in Toco/Sangre Grande in particular, is to try to equip the young people so that they have not just a general education, but education that is tailor-made to have them gain employment in specific government agencies.”

 

Suspect killed by police in Couva shootout

A warrant execution ended in the death of a Couva man after he allegedly opened fire on officers on the night of July 22.

Police said officers of the Freeport Police Station and the Central Division Task Force (CDTF) were executing a warrant at the Annabele Street home of Kitwana Wilkinson between 10 pm and midnight, when he was injured during an exchange of gunfire. He died at the Couva Health Facility. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro said investigations were ongoing into the incident.

Newsday understands Wilkinson was taken into custody in March after police found an illegal firearm and ammunition during a search of his home. He was also a person of interest in investigations into several shootings and murders in the Central area.

Meanwhile, a woman was hospitalised in critical condition after being shot in her chest. Police said officers of the Couva CID and CDTF responded to a report of a robbery at Fire Station Road, Couva, around 9 pm. A male informant told police a male suspect entered their home, tried to rob them and then shot his wife. She was taken to the Couva Health Facility.

Guevarro, however, said preliminary findings revealed that the initial report given to police did not match what officers observed at the scene. He said a man was detained and a loaded firearm was seized.

The top cop said two people were also taken into custody and are assisting investigators after a targeted operation in the Enterprise led to the seizure of cocaine, marijuana and ammunition.

“Collectively, these events reflect a challenging operational landscape that demands both vigilance and precision. The TTPS continues to act decisively in the interest of public safety whilst pursuing accountability and justice through investigative rigor. Illegal firearms are the biggest threat to this country at this time and my officers continue to recover them on a daily basis.”

He thanked officers for their work and the public for trusting the police and sharing information.

Relatives: Kidnap survivor ‘alright,’ resting at home

RELATIVES of Satie Karim, a 44-year-old woman who was kidnapped on July 13, say she is now resting comfortably at home after a daring rescue by police on July 21.

“She’s all right,” said a relative from the safety of their well-burglar-proofed, two-storey house, which was surrounded by cameras.

When Newsday asked, they said she wasn’t able to come outside at the time but assured that she was resting and recovering from the week-long ordeal she experienced at the hands of kidnappers.

At about 9.50 pm on July 13, a relative of Karim was driving a white Toyota Hilux, with her and her son as passengers, along Bassie Street, Spring Village, Valsayn.

A blue car pulled in front of them and gunmen jumped out.

The men forced their way into the Hilux and snatched Karim, then bundled her into their car while one of the kidnappers hopped into the Hilux and robbed Karim’s relatives of $500 and an iPhone.

The two vehicles then drove off with one kidnapper driving the Hilux and the other driving the car with Karim.

The two other victims were eventually dropped off and the kidnappers drove away with the van.

Police found the van abandoned on Sunset Drive, Arouca on July 14.

Police told reporters that an exorbitant ransom was demanded, but none was paid. They also showed evidence to relatives that she was still alive while negotiating for ransom money.

But police said the state of emergency (SoE) called by the government on July 18 to thwart a joint effort by once rival gangs to terrorise the nation with kidnappings, robberies and murders had the desired effect as the abductors were unable to communicate with their bosses who operated behind prison walls.

Police exercises staged to rescue Karim and hold the people responsible for her kidnapping ended with two suspects dead and two others in police custody.

Intelligence received by police led them to a house in the northeastern, coastal village of Rampanalgas on July 21, where they found the kidnappers holding Karim.

Officers from several specialised units including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, several intelligence agencies and led by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro descended on the house in a brief but explosive police exercise which started at about 6 pm.

Police told Newsday that one of the kidnappers used Karim as a human shield, but a marksman took him out before he could do her any harm.

Two other suspects, a man and a woman, were captured and taken into custody for questioning.

Later that night at about 10.30 pm, police went to the home of another suspect, this time at Old Piarco Road.

Police said officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch went to the man’s home and announced their presence but the suspect confronted the officers, opening fire on them.

Officers returned fire, fatally shooting the suspect. Police recovered a Glock 19 pistol and a quantity of ammunition at the scene.

Rowley: Remember Kamla’s SoE ‘gimmickry’ talk

FORMER prime minister Dr Keith Rowley says the population must be reminded that his successor Kamla Persad-Bissessar has held a dim view on the effectiveness of a state of emergency (SoE) to reduce crime.

Rowley made this comment on July 18 in response to Persad-Bissessar’s statement about the declaration of an SoE on July 17 to deal with an alleged plot from inside and outside of the prison system to target certain people and institutions.

On July 18, the PNM issued a statement calling for responsible leadership and answers with respect to the third SoE called within the last decade.

Apart from this one, two others were declared under the PNM between 2015 and 2025.

In a WhatsApp comment, Rowley provided Persad-Bissessar’s verbatim comments last December as opposition leader in response to an SoE which the former PNM government declared at that time.

At a news conference on December 30, 2024, then acting attorney general Stuart Young and then national security minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the SoE was called to deal with intelligence from the police about reprisal killings by gangs on a large scale, using illegal high-powered firearms.

At that time, Rowley dismissed suggestions the SoE’s declaration was because government was slow to respond to violent crime.

“The government has acted and acted decisively.”

Rowley said citizens would do well to recall what Persad-Bissessar’s view last December was when an SoE was declared under the PNM.

“Remember these words.”

At that time, Persad-Bissessar said, “This SoE is a shameless political gimmick, a band-aid in an election year to address the root causes of crime.”

She added, “This (PNM) government is out of ideas and out of time and is hiding from the violent crime crisis he and his government contributed to over the last ten years. No plans were given for post-SoE.”

Persad-Bissessar said, “The only way to bring real change and restore safety to Trinidad and Tobago is to vote the UNC into government.”

She added, “A UNC government has a comprehensible, actionable plan to combat crime. We will not hide. We will not fail. We will act.”

The UNC won the April 28 general election 26-13-2.

Rowley said, “To be copied is flattery.”

On January 3, Rowley said he hoped the SoE (declared last December) would lead to a suppression of the levels of violent crime, especially involving the use of firearms.

The House of Representatives approved a three-month extension to the SoE on January 13.

When the SoE ended on April 13, two weeks before the election, Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal said the SoE was ineffective in reducing crime.

“Many citizens do not even know when the SoE will end and that shows it had no impact on the citizenry. It was a knee-jerk reaction to the intense build-up of criminal activity and murders.”

Moonilal is now Energy Minister.

Last December’s SoE was the second one declared while the PNM was in office from September 7, 2015 to April 28, 2025.

The first was on May 16, 2021, in response to the covid19 pandemic.

At that time, Rowley said the SoE was declared in response to an increase in covid19 cases.

This SoE initially involved a nationwide curfew from 9 pm to 5 am with exceptions given to members of the protective services and essential services including the energy sector, supermarkets, and pharmacies.

Regulations were gradually amended as different sectors of the economy were reopened on a phased basis as covid19 cases decreased and covid19 vaccines became available.

This SoE was ended in November 2021. Speaking in the House then, Rowley identified the government’s covid19 vaccination thrust among the reasons for ending the SoE.

In a statement on July 18, the PNM called on the UNC to provide details to justify the reasons for declaring a state of emergency (SoE) so soon in its tenure in office.

“The declaration of an SoE is a serious matter that has direct implications for the rights and freedoms of every citizen.”

The opposition added, “It is critical such a decision is accompanied by transparency, accountability and leadership.”

The PNM noted comments made by Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro at a press conference about the SoE and an earlier press release issued by the police on this matter.

The opposition acknowledged Guevarro’s recommendation for the SoE being based on “a co-ordinated and highly dangerous criminal network, operating simultaneously and from within and outside of the prison system and targeting senior officials and national institutions.”

“The opposition takes these allegations very seriously.”

The PNM said it is reviewing the SoE regulations, the transcript of the police briefing on the SoE and all other available information on the public domain.

Based on this, the opposition continued, it will caucus on this matter and issue a further statement on this matter after that caucus.

The PNM said moments like these demand national unity and responsible governance.

“Silence and avoidance from the executive is not an option.”

After Guevarro’s briefing, Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, held a press conference to give the government’s first official response to this matter.

He said government endorsed the need for the SoE.

Jeremie provided a timeline of events from the National Security Council (NSC) meeting on this issue to President Christine Kangaloo signing the proclamation to declare the SoE at midnight on July 17.

He said Persad-Bissessar has not slept for two days because of this matter and has been “commanding her troops” from her private residence in Philippine, South Trinidad.