More than three decades after the 1990 attempted coup, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is preserving the stories of the officers whose courage and sacrifice helped defend the nation’s democracy.
Through a curated exhibition and guided tours through the Police Museum, members of the public are given a firsthand look at the events that shaped one of the most defining chapters in the nation’s history.
Speaking to members of the media, Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin noted that the coup tours, held at the Old Police Headquarters in Port of Spain, are guided by the experiences of officers who defended the nation during one of its darkest chapters.
The exhibition highlights the attempted coup and the events of July 27th, 1990, including the attack on the Police Headquarters on St Vincent Street.
“We want to remind Trinidad and Tobago, especially from the Museum standpoint, that there were persons who really gave their lives, there were persons who really toiled to ensure the democracy that we have today, that it certainly was not free, and it was not cheap. Persons worked hard, and police officers gave their lives, and we just want to remind the public in terms of those persons who have really, you know, put their lives on the line to ensure Trinidad and Tobago has the democracy that we have today.”
He added that the display is more than a historical record. It serves as a tribute to the officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend democracy through courage and dedication.
“I literally shed a tear so many times because we recognise that many people even today wear the scars of that day, but I am really grateful at the end of the day that the Police Service continues to be that organisation that will carry the story forward of these great officers and also to remind the younger ones that there is a history that we must seek to uphold.”
The exhibition also reflects on the unity forged within the Police Service during the crisis, when Special Reserve and regular officers stood together to protect the country in the face of danger.
“Whether you’re a special reserve officer or a regular officer, everybody was just one police service, and we learn a lot from those experiences. We’ve grown, and today, we’re here to still tell the story that the Police Service remains a very strong organisation that will defend its nation, and, you know, together we are stronger because of all that happened in the past.”
Among the exhibits are accounts of the officers’ experiences, which Museum Curator Kara Roopsingh said are significant to the history of the attempted coup.
“This is our display on the 1990 attempted coup. We try to highlight what happened to the Police Headquarters here on St Vincent Street. This is an old building that was built in 1876, so we try to highlight what happened in the building and some of the officers and the experiences they had here.”
The educational tours, held in partnership with the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, are open for two weeks, from July 20th to 31st.