There are now six mobile police posts operational in the country: three in Trinidad and three in Tobago.
Speaking at the commissioning of the mobile post in Signal Hill on Tuesday, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro described the posts as “beacons of comfort in communities” and shared the results recorded by the posts in Tarouba, Eddie Hart and Grand Bazaar in less than one month of operation.
“Conducted 978 mobile patrols, 224 foot patrols, 70 operations and exercises and those activities resulted in 29 arrests, 151 fixed penalty notices being issued.”
These results are the reason Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge said he will continue to defend the Government’s decision to install the mobile police posts strategically around the country.
“It is meant to bring the police closer to the communities; it is meant to ensure that the law enforcement is strategically placed so that there would be timely interceptions, and once there are timely interceptions, that is one of the greatest deterrents, methods that yield results.”
And Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander defended the cost of overtime for officers who are being asked to carry out extra duties because of police-led crime-fighting initiatives.
“I ask the question today: do you think the victim that was involved in that crime that they were committing today, cared that if the police was on overtime or they were on leave? They didn’t care. They want somebody to reach out and protect them.”
He stated that the mobile posts located in Signal Hill, Plymouth and Goodwood will also be instrumental in detecting criminals from Trinidad who are hiding out in Tobago.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar endorsed expenditure on overtime for officers and announced further investment in the Police Service.
“Do not begrudge the police. They are doing the overtime, they are pushing the work but we are not stopping there. Together with Homeland Security and the TTPS, we are increasing the recruitment of more officers, more officers.”
THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said discussions will continue with the Minister of Homeland Security on further strengthening the police force in Tobago, especially during the peak Tobago Carnival season later this month.