The Grand Bazaar and Tarouba joint police-army posts are now operational, bringing law enforcement and response capabilities closer to communities.
At Thursday’s opening, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro said the micro-police units form part of efforts to increase the visibility and presence of police and Defence Force personnel in areas identified as requiring additional resources.
“So this is just the actual operational opening of the micro-police units in response to a cry from the public for an increased presence of policing. We have about 30 units available thus far, but what I want to reassure the public, because there has been an incorrect narrative that we’re just going to be putting units all over the place, no, that is not true. We will be using analysed data to direct where these units and where resources will be placed.”
Commissioner Guevarro said the TTPS is moving into a new phase of its crime-fighting strategy.
“We have had all the persons who are eligible to be released from Preventative Detention Orders being back on the streets, but sadly they will be coming out here to meet a different environment, a different policing environment, highly operational and highly effective. And we will be utilising all the tools that are available to us to peg back crime. We are close to the Christmas season and thereafter the Carnival season, and if you realise the pivotal area where you stand, when you look at to the South, to the North, to the East and West, you are within five minutes of all the major arteries in South.”
The Commissioner said technology is also playing a greater role in this initiative, with drone patrols and drone response being incorporated into police operations.
“The drone patrols and drone response is now going to be inculcated into our crime-fighting initiative. So where you might be able to see it there, it could go a whole lot higher and be invisible. So this is just a warning to the criminal element. All hands are on deck, represented here today, and those whom you have not even seen. And we are well supported by the Minister of Homeland Security, and we are willing to take the fight to the criminals.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander described the initiative as part of the transformation of policing.
“Transformation as it relates to policing, joint efforts, members of the Defence Force and other units is what we look forward to. The public is asking constantly every day, ‘Alexander, when? Alexander, when? Alexander, when?’ This transformation will take place, and it will continue. It could only improve as we go along.”
Other police posts are expected to become operational, with the Eddie Hart Grounds post set to be next.
Together, they are expected to provide operational support to joint security agencies, as they seek to maintain the downward trend in crime following the end of the State of Emergency.