The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) today officially launched Operation Festive Shield, a nationwide security initiative designed to safeguard citizens, businesses, and visitors throughout the 2025 Christmas season and the Carnival 2026 period.
The operation commenced in Port of Spain and the Western Division, the country’s primary commercial and entertainment corridor, where increased foot traffic, economic activity, and public events demand an enhanced safety and security posture. Other police divisions will follow with phased operational rollouts in the coming days, utilizing the same strategic framework and coordinated standards.
Operation Festive Shield is built on four primary pillars:
1. High-Visibility Policing – Increased foot and mobile patrols, strategic placement in shopping districts, transport hubs, entertainment zones, and public gathering areas.
2. Intelligence-Led Operations – Targeted operations against repeat offenders and emerging criminal threats using real-time intelligence.
3. Traffic and Public Order Management – Joint coordination with municipal police, traffic units, and event organizers to maintain safe and efficient movement of people and vehicles.
4. Stakeholder Partnerships & Rapid Response – Ongoing collaboration with businesses, security partners, and community stakeholders supported by rapid information sharing and police response.
Operational support includes divisional task forces, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) for high mobility response, municipal policing units, OPS-STAT monitoring, and strengthened coordination with private sector security partners.
The TTPS will prioritise:
– Reduction of robberies, larceny, and opportunistic street crimes
– Safety of shoppers, vendors, business operators, and commuters
– Traffic decongestion and pedestrian safety
– Rapid police response to incidents
Public Advisory:
Citizens are encouraged to:
– Stay vigilant and safeguard personal belongings
– Utilize secure cash-in-transit services when handling large sums
– Report suspicious activity immediately via 999, 555, or the nearest police station
– Follow TTPS public safety updates and official traffic advisories
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) stated: “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is strategically deployed, coordinated, and operationally ready. We will safeguard public safety, protect commercial activity, and ensure security throughout the festive season. Criminal elements will find no comfort this Christmas and Carnival period.”
Operation Festive Shield will expand sequentially across all police divisions, reinforcing TTPS’ commitment to national safety, public confidence, and law enforcement excellence.
