The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service- which has approximately 7000 officers- has 180 functioning body cameras. 

This was revealed by National Security Minister, Stuart Young, during Wednesday’s sitting of the House of Representatives. 

He was then asked by Naparima MP, Rodney Charles, whether any police officers involved in last Saturday’s fatal shooting of three men in Morvant, had been wearing body cameras.

The Minister said he could not comment.

“There are currently two investigations taking place including an independent investigation by the Police Complaints Authority . As the Minister of National Security, I shall not be interfering with either on of these investigations. I assume that in the conduct of these investigations, this type of information will be gathered and it will be subsequently provided,” Young said.

Asked about plans to supply law enforcement with more body cameras, Minister Young clarified that this was not his decision to make. “The Police Commissioner is in charge of the police service from an administrative and a financial point of view- and it is up to the Commissioner of Police to procure more body camera and he certainly does have the government’s support,” Young said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith dismissed looming calls for the officers involved  in the shooting to be suspended- saying no action would be taken until an investigation is completed. Griffith said he would not be “bullied” by anyone to act prematurely.