One hundred and eight police officers were honoured for their bravery in the line of duty, including their role in the high-risk hostage rescue of kidnapping victim Satie Karim earlier this month.
At a Commendation Ceremony on Thursday, Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, commended the officers, saying it was an operation that tested their courage and commitment to the nation.
“This is your time officers, to take charge of the streets and once again raise that police flag, let people see it in defence of this good nation. As the Minister of Homeland Security, I will support you, whether it be by any legal means necessary, which I might have to provide for your assistance. But I support you and your Commissioner of Police in your efforts, because we cannot ask persons to give up themselves and at the same time leave you in the dark.”
Although the focus of the Commendation Ceremony was on those involved in the kidnapping operation, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro pointed to several examples of officers going beyond the call of duty.
“We have an officer here today who would have taken the initiative and led from the front and entered and saved a person who would have called for assistance from the police and in the process, he was injured and stabbed multiple times. We also have present here today in this room persons who would have spent the better part of over a week searching diligently in the forested areas of Trinidad and Tobago to rescue a citizen who was kidnapped and held hostage for ransom.”
ACP Richard Smith hailed the officers, despite public criticism and social media negativity.
“You know, when we hear the comments from society as it relates to the police, sometimes you may get demotivated by what you hear, by what you see on social media. People tend to say all types of things because they hate authority. But we are here to stand firm. We are here to stand strong.”
Commissioner Guevarro said officers were also commended for taking firearms and ammunition off the streets, along with arresting and charging individuals.