Tag: DCP Junior Benjamin

South business chambers urge vigilance against extortion

WHILE reports of extortion rackets are increasing across the country, leaders of two business chambers in southern Trinidad say that many business owners have not experienced extortion directly.

They are urging businesses to stay alert and continue working with the police.

Kiran Singh, president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce (GSFCC), said there have been no direct reports of extortion in San Fernando itself.

However, he said he had heard about extortion cases in other areas.

“We have heard of cases in Princes Town, Mayaro and Moruga. In Mayaro, for example, construction workers have been told to pay extortion money to keep their projects going,” Singh said.

Singh also echoed the message from Snr Supt Rodhill Kirk, head of the Southern Division, who recently warned the business community not to give in to these illegal demands.

Singh emphasised that anyone facing extortion should report it to the police right away. “The police have asked that these incidents be reported immediately. I hope when innocent business owners go to the police, officers will take their reports seriously.”

Similarly, Angie Villy Jairam, president of the Fyzabad Chamber of Commerce, said she had not received any complaints about extortion from her members.

While she acknowledged the possibility of extortion in the area, she said she had not heard of any specific cases.

“People are cautious and taking steps to protect themselves, sometimes spending more on security than they can afford,” she said.

Jairam praised the south western police for their efforts in managing crime in recent months, particularly through community-based communication tools like group chats.

“We stay connected through these group chats, and if we see something suspicious, we report it immediately,” she said.

However, Jairam noted an increase in hold-ups in Rousillac, though she said overall crime had been manageable.

The Fyzabad Chamber serves areas like Mon Desir, Pepper Village, South Oropouche, and Rousillac, with over 70 members.

Jairam urged businesses and the wider community to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement.

Both Singh and Jairam stressed the importance of working together as a community and reporting crimes promptly to fight extortion and other criminal activities.

On November 8, during a walkabout in San Fernando and Chaguanas, ACP Richard Smith, head of the newly formed Anti-Extortion Unit, said that the police had received 29 reports of extortion so far this year.

Smith recalled that a man was charged with 22 offences, including nine counts of demanding money by menace. The matter is pending in the court.

The walkabout was part of a joint patrol that included Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Keith Scotland, DCP Junior Benjamin and Snr Supt Kirk.

Scotland spoke out against extortion, calling it a form of taxing.

He said the ministry is taking strong action to tackle the problem, particularly with the creation of the Anti-Extortion Unit.

Scotland urged the public to report extortion cases, saying, “If you do not inform us, how can we eradicate it? If you sit in silence, it will just bear itself out. It will increase, and the people will get bolder and bolder.”

On November 7, police in Princes Town met with the business community and public members to encourage them to report any cases of extortion.

The police reminded the public that reports can be made by calling 797-3150, 999, 555, or any police station.

Griffith: Returning police tactical uniforms ‘a backward step’

FORMER commissioner of police (CoP) Gary Griffith says an advisory by CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher which instructs police officers to return their tactical uniforms is a backward step.

Griffith, leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA), said this move does not address the problem of people using clothing which allows them to impersonate police officers.

Harewood-Christopher’s advisory was read at the weekly police briefing at police headquarters in Port of Spain on October 17.

Only members of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), National Operating Task Force and the Multi-Operational Police Section (MOPS) are exempt from the advisory.

It requires all other officers to return their tactical uniforms to their respective divisional commanders by October 23.

The GEB and IATF will also be able to use digital camouflage.

The advisory said with the exception of officers in these four units, all other police officers will revert to the traditional grey shirt and blue pants with immediate effect.

In a statement on October 18, Griffith said this decision is a significant backward step for the police.

“While there is an obvious and pressing need to remove the current cheap tactical blue uniforms, which are readily available in stores and similar to those worn by many private security companies, allowing individuals to easily impersonate police officers; the solution should not be a return to the past.”

Griffith said this decision reflects regression and is “indicative of the larger issues plaguing the leadership of the police service.”

He said the solution was to embrace innovation and forward-thinking solutions rather than showing a fear of change that causes a return to outdated practices.

In the past, Griffith continued, when the grey uniform, reminiscent of the colonial era, was used, there was no need for the advanced technology and equipment essential for contemporary policing.

He said, “Today’s officers require functional uniforms that allow for the use of communication devices like radios, body cameras for accountability, and belts equipped with non-lethal tools such as Tasers and pepper spray.

“The grey uniform does not accommodate these necessities, making it impractical for modern-day policing.”

During his tenure as CoP from 2018-2021, he implemented changes to police uniforms.

“This backward decision stands in stark contrast to the uniform we had previously approved.”

Those uniforms, Griffith continued, “had a modern, functional design similar to those worn in major cities across North America, with the capacity to accommodate all the modern policing tools mentioned above, as well as RFID (radio frequency identification) tags, which would allow the hierarchy of the TTPS (TT Police Service) to determine which specific officer’s uniform was used in a crime, due to its unique identifying mark.”

RFID uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a tiny radio transponder called a tag, a radio receiver, and a transmitter.

He said, “Unfortunately, like over a hundred other policies, units, and technological advancements that were introduced during my tenure, this progress was scrapped after I left office.”

Griffith said government is dragging Trinidad and Tobago further back in time “with a colonial-era grey suit that fails to meet the demands of modern policing in terms of functionality, appearance, and standards of professionalism.”

On October 17, DCP Junior Benjamin said failure by officers to comply with this advisory would “result in the appropriate disciplinary actions.”

He added this could involve a one-man tribunal for less serious offences or a three-man tribunal for more serious offences. Benjamin said the former could result in penalties such as fines and penalties for the latter could include dismissal from the service.

He added that police in tactical uniform will always be accompanied by officers in grey and blue uniforms.

PM appoints 2nd minister in National Security Ministry

PORT of Spain South MP Keith Scotland, SC, will become a Cabinet minister responsible for policing, to try to help Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds in the fight against crime, the Prime Minister told a post-cabinet briefing at Whitehall on July 25.

The move comes after constant calls by the Opposition for Hinds’ head, amid an ongoing criminal onslaught including 15 people murdered in one weekend in July.

Dr Rowley said, “We have run this Government since 2015 with a significantly reduced number of ministers, but because of the pressures of the pushback that is coming to us from the criminal element, we have decided to put a bit more of the Cabinet resource on the police and some aspects of security.”

Reading out the entities falling under the ministry, he said the police were of concern to Cabinet.

Rowley said, “We believe the police need special care and attention, special monitoring, special review and of course special guidance in some instances.”

The PM said he has advised President Christine Kangaloo to add a minister to the ministry, namely Scotland, to deal with police/government issues.

He said Scotland would take over responsibility for policing, offender management, illegal immigrants, drug trafficking and drug enforcement, and money laundering.

Scotland will be a Cabinet member, as “minister in the ministry,” Rowley added.

Rowley said the job of being a national security minister was “quite a thankless job.” He recalled having had three men in that portfolio, respectively Brig Edmund Dillon, Stuart Young (now Energy Minister) and Hinds.

Of Dillon, the PM said, “I don’t think he had an easy time.” Rowley said Young was “received with little enthusiasm” and “had quite a rough time.” He described Hinds as “your favourite minister.”

Rowley pointed out several problems in the police. He likened the process of appointing a new police commissioner to “calculus.”

The PM lamented the process of police promotions often ended up in the courthouse.

He added that the top of the police service was “not a very healthy place,” saying, “It is horrid at the top of the police service.”

In the question session, reporters asked if Hinds’ duties were too many.

Rowley said, “As we try to do more and so much trouble is coming to us from the police, I decided – as Prime Minister it is my prerogative to make that decision – the minister was being distracted by too many other things, when we wanted more focusing on the police.”

Rowley, in reply to questions, said Scotland would have to give up both his role as chairman of Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) on National Security and his private law practice in order to be a Cabinet minister.

Asked what Scotland would bring to the portfolio, Rowley said, “Focus on a particular area. It is not magic.”

However, he said the criminal element was constantly evolving, likening it to an amoeba, and wondering how some people thought up gruesome crimes.

Denying media reports of rehiring of fired staff of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), he said his position was that unsuitable individuals must not populate security agencies, even if that meant they went to court and got paid compensation at the State’s expense.

Rowley said in recent times, he had spent more time on national security than any other part of his portfolio as prime minister, also noting the presence of the National Security Council, which he chaired.

Contacted for comment later, Scotland told Newsday, “So what I want to say is, I am very honoured. I feel up to the challenge. I will bring to bear all the experience I have had over the years to the task at hand.

“I would prefer to say more upon receipt of my instrument tomorrow.”

He said he expected to receive his instrument of appointment at 2 pm at President’s House, St Ann’s.

Newsday tried but was unable to contact Hinds.

Police Service DCP Junior Benjamin, in response to Scotland’s appointment, told Newsday the police were there to work with anyone in the ministry to improve national security.

“I welcome any person or anything that will bring greater efficiency and effectiveness to national security and I’m looking forward to ensuring that we continue to provide what is needed now for the country – decisive action that is able to curb crime.”

Asked why he thought Scotland was appointed, he replied, “I can’t say but I know Scotland to be a prolific individual in terms of his legal profession and I believe that he is well learnt in his law and I’m certain his experience with the police will help as we look to move forward in building that stronger relationship with the Ministry of National Security.”

Newsday asked if the police ever had any issues communicating with Hinds.

Benjamin said, “Hinds is a very good individual. He continues to do fantastic work as Minister of National Security. Hinds is well respected within the police fraternity.

“We can only feel that working along with Hinds that together we can be a stronger teams with National Security efforts that will help the country.”

(With reporting by Enrique Rupert)