“Jail is Jail.”
Those were the words from Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro responding to an overnight legal challenge questioning the relocation of a detainee to a secure facility, as T&T observed its first night under the declared State of Emergency.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, legal representatives for a detainee filed an urgent Habeas Corpus application before the High Court. The detainee, who had been transferred from the Maximum Security Prison in Arouca to another secure facility, was seeking to be returned to his original location.
The court, however, dismissed the application in its entirety and ordered the applicant to pay legal costs – a ruling that the T&T Police Service said affirms the legality of the police’s operational decisions during the State of Emergency. In response to the Court ruling, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro stated that “Jail is Jail. One secure facility is just as effective as another.” He questioned the motives behind the legal action, suggesting there may be more to the request than meets the eye, quoted as saying, “Is there something or someone special at the other facility?”
The Commissioner said the TTPS maintains its commitment to security and procedural integrity, noting that it is unclear why specific preferences are being asserted regarding detention locations. Meanwhile in another media release from the Police Service, Commissioner Guevarro urged criminal elements to abandon violence and respect the rule of law.
That statement came after an incident that unfolded on Friday night, after officers responded to a report of a stolen Nissan Tiida in the Enterprise district. The vehicle was spotted and pursued by officers of the Central Division Task Force, but the situation escalated when the suspect opened fire on the officers.
The TTPS said in accordance with its use of force policy, officers returned fire, wounding the suspect. He was transported for medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries. A firearm was recovered at the scene. And in response to this latest incident, Commissioner Guevarro issued a stern warning to criminal elements.
He urged them to “surrender peacefully” when they are confronted by Police Officers, warning criminals – “Do not challenge them. It will not end well for you.” The TTPS also encouraged the public to remain calm and cooperative, as the State of Emergency continues.