Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has vowed to tackle school violence, warning parents to “control” their children.
He was officially handed the reins as Commissioner of Police on Tuesday afternoon by Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander.
In his maiden speech after receiving the official appointment, Commissioner Guevarro made a clarion call and issued a warning to all parents.
“The future of our nation does not rest in your child’s school bag. It rests in your hands as the parents because you need to take control of your children. I have been looking on for the past couple of months and I’ve been seeing several acts of violence engaging the public and media attention about school violence and bullying. Under my watch, that will never happen. I want to make you a promise here today. If you cannot control your children, we, the TTPS, will confine them.”
Speaking to police officers, the Commissioner urged them to return to being “superheroes” and role models in society.
“Dad joins TTPS to be a role model for his son. The significance of this newspaper article in getting me to desist from reading my prepared speech is that it is time that the Police Service and the officers who are members of this august and esteemed body return to being role models of society. It is about time we return to being superheroes.”
Commissioner Guevarro also ensured a standing ovation for outgoing Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin, noting that he served the country in its “darkest hour.”
“I would like to ask Mr. Benjamin to stand because I want to recognise that Mr. Benjamin answered that clarion call when the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service was placed in its darkest hour. And we must recognise the brilliant leadership which he held the court and led the good ship TTPS through troubled waters.”
Commissioner Guevarro said it had always been a dream of his to become Police Commissioner since his childhood days, pointing out that his “prophecy” has been “fulfilled.”