“The police will focus on Tobago, as much as Trinidad. And had deployed additional manpower where the Guard and Emergency Branch, GEB, and the Inter Agency Task Force, IATF, are now functioning permanently in Tobago, ”Top Cop Erla Christopher Harewood told a Joint Select Committee of Parliament this afternoon.

“Another IATF team left this morning to train the frontline officers in Tobago to ensure they are capable and competent in doing basic road checks to help them build confidence to confront perceived offenders,” she further explained, against the backdrop of the first triple murder on the island, when three men were ambushed and shot dead while playing cards on the side of the Main Road in Black Rock.

Mrs Harewood also said there was a one percent reduction in murders reported between January and July when compared with the same period for 2023, when there were two less murders.

The Commissioner and her three Deputies were grilled by the members on several issues, during which she revealed that:
“We have a problem maintaining discipline in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, TTPS,” Mrs Harewood confessed as she referred to the “reports in the media of police indiscipline. “We are working on changing the culture of the organisation to one of service and excellence,” she promised, adding that the administration is “looking to restructure to ensure we have the right people in the right position.”

“At the end of this year, we hope to recruit between 800-1000 new officers,” she said.

“Is TTPS investigating an attempted coup in the country involving a specialised law enforcement agency? The top cop was asked, with reference to the revelation by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that there is a cult within the Strategic Services Agency, SSA, that was planning a coup against the government.

“In as much it is a burning issue. It is at a very delicate stage. It is not prudent for me to comment, at this point,” she said.

There were 2,738 repeat offenders in 2023, with 1,585 first time offenders. As such Mrs Harewood said the amended Bail Bill will stymy criminal elements and the prisons won’t be a revolving door.