A black and white photograph at the Police
Museum on St Vincent Street in Port-of-Spain
serves as a flashback when police officers
rode bicycles through the streets of T&T.
Photo: KARLA RAMOO

Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert is assuring that police officers will not cycle into crime “hot spots.” Speaking at a hastily-called press briefing at Police Administration building in Port-of-Spain yesterday, Philbert sought to clear the air on concerns raised by some police officers and members of the public.

Singling out the crime-ridden community of Laventille as an example, Philbert said: “Laventille has its specific challenges, and I do not see that a bicycle going through Laventille would serve a purpose.” Philbert said based on intelligence and the analysis of crime, there was an indication that the use of bicycles would be effective in reaching specific areas and citizens. The bicycle officers, Philbert said, would be outfitted with bulletproof vests, head gear and would be armed. “We are concerned with the welfare of the officers in a very strong way, and measures will be put in place.

“We are not punishing officers by giving them a bicycle to ride,” Philbert said. He said the bicycles were already in the country. Asked about a cost, Philbert could not provide a figure, saying only that the cost was “reasonable.” According to the top cop, there was no “Bicycle Patrol Unit” in the Police Service. He explained that the bicycle cops were part of a “special initiative” to supplement foot and mobile patrols. “This is not something new. It is not a bicycle unit or a bicycle squad. “In the old days, there were bicycles which were used in a very strong way,” Philbert said.

He said the need to implement this “special initiative” was due partly to an increase in robberies and housebreaking and larceny reports. “Robberies on the street and idle people... Those are some of the things we want to target, and the bicycles will help us do that,” Philbert said. Disclosing that there already existed bicycle cops in Tobago for several years, Philbert said officers in Trinidad would cycle into residential and commercial areas and shopping districts within three weeks. Some of the areas identified by Philbert included Chaguanas, Woodbrook and Bon Air in Arouca. “The use of the bicycles would be for specific targeting for short periods.

“It would also be an opportunity for officers to interact with residents and to visit schools,” Philbert said. He identified some 50 officers chosen from different areas of the Police Service who have been in training for the past two weeks. Talks were also held with members of the Police Social and Welfare Association to discuss further concerns. Dispelling claims that officers were reluctant to use bicycles as part of their crime-fighting tools, Philbert described his charges as “enthusiastic.” “It is not a one-off patrol; It is part of a component. We have found there is a necessity to reach our citizens in various ways,” Philbert said.