Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:12 hours 14 min ago
CoP: Bulletproof vests for prisoners in courts
Published: 31 Oct 2009
Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert says some prisoners will be granted extra security and will be given bulletproof vests when attending court. Philbert was speaking with reporters, during a brief interview after the official opening of Belmont Police Station yesterday. This comment came in light of the killing of murder accused Peter Garcia, while being escorted by police officers outside the Rio Claro Magistrates’ Court on October 18. “We will look at the individuals attending court and the officers detailed to protect them,” Philbert said. He said it was “dangerous” for officers to carry firearms when securing prisoners, because in the past, prisoners had struggled with the officers and had taken their firearms. “To provide that kind of security, officers can’t go with firearms, but instead prisoners will wear vests,” he said. “We spoke with the judiciary and we will see how it goes.”
Referring to reports that a prisoner suffering with the H1N1 virus at Port-of-Spain General Hospital was under police guard, Philbert said he hoped the prisoner would be given bail. “We discussed the matter and hopefully, the prisoner will be attended to, and be given the treatment he deserved,” he said. He said police officers expressed concerns when they were dealing with the prisoner, and “we were advised by the Ministry of Health to simply practise personal hygiene.” Meanwhile, Philbert said, the Chaguanas Police Station was cleaned and “aired out,” after officers reportedly fell ill with the virus earlier this year. “Janitors have to do more work cleaning, sanitising and disinfecting… They must also practise the use of hand sanitisers,” he said. With regards to the witness protection programme, Philbert said they were faced with limited resources.
He said state witnesses usual wanted to live the same lifestyle at the safe house as they would outside. “They are classified, put in safe houses, monitored and they should co-operate with the authorities,” he said. He said the witnesses were asked to sign a contract and they must follow the rules. When asked about a state witness who was currently asking for assistance from the Witness Protection Programme after his safe house was compromised, the top cop quipped: “I don’t know about that, but please let me know who he is.” He said the opening of Belmont Police Station was important because it monitored events such as Panorama and Carnival. There are also several hotels, schools, the Diplomatic Centre, Queen’s Hall, the Queen’s Park Savannah and the Prime Minister’s residence in the area.
How would bulletproof vests
How would bulletproof vests help when the prisoners can still be shot at and the unarmed escorts will rightly flee and leave the prisoner to be approached and shot in the head? The idea of having escorted prisoners wear bulletproof vests is not new. Pretty much every developed country allows for it. However, these same countries have armed escorts as well. Ways should be found to allow for the type of restraints (shackles) that would hinder the escorted prisoner's ability to tussle with his escorts. Why is it that so many basic concepts of law enforcement continue to elude the Trinidad and Tobago Law enforcement agencies? Don S. NY
Where do we get these
Where do we get these 'brilliant' people from? One solitary incident, and by CoP's degree: prisoners at court will now wear bulletproof vests? Does this mean since lightning kills 1 or 2 people per year we must all wear lightning rods properly grounded of course as we go about our daily business. ODPM, look out!
Rik Hansel
If the CoP is concerned that
If the CoP is concerned that escorted prisoners might grab the weapons from armed escorts, what prevents him from having other armed officers in sufficient proximity to prevent a repeat of that recent incident? Where were there no armed back-up officers keeping watch? It was surprising in this day and age to see the poor unarmed officers scrambling for safety.
If security of prisoners, key witnesses and others is at risk, this should be addressed in the design and construction of the next generation of court house buildings and modifications to existing ones, where feasible, considered.
There should be properly secured entrances through which high-risk individuals could be taken through safely and securely in armoured vehicles as close as possible to a safe entry point to the building. If necessary they should be placed behind bullet-proof glass once in the building.
If all persons from the public entering the premises are properly screened/scanned and or searched, as should already be the practice, the need for the bullet-proof glass and vests might not even be necessary.
They don't have to be
They don't have to be brilliant...?
...these people don't have to be brilliant...they just have to have a "knack" to throw money away, after everything and anything, it will solve the problems...they don't even have to think"...just ask Patrick, he has shown them the way...he is after all the "leader", and they are just following his "lead..."..say anything you want that fly out your mouth, you don't have to account for it...or it even have to make sense at all...that is Patrick's way...No...???
...next thing you know, they'll tell the Police to have "fake guns" when they escort prisoners to court just in case they get held and robbed of their guns up on the way...?
...they will also tell the citizens of T&T to have "fake rope and duct tape" at home, so just in case they get kidnapped, and the kidnappers use it, they could break free and get away...?...and yes, of course, the people should all have to buy "bullet proof vests" and keep them on at all times, at home and at work and at play...otherwise...you taking your life in your own hands, because the Government is useless and helpless....so make your own arrangements for security, don't wait for we, the Government to help you out here...???
...so yes, this is Trinidad & Tobago...you don't have to be brilliant to hold these top jobs, you just have to follow the Prime Minister's lead and squander money like it going out of style, just like him...and you're in like Flint...!
...and in T&T the "comedy shows" continue, but at the people's expense and their lives and that of their families...what a joke...all the while the Government and its cronies live it up at the taxpayer's expense...???
p.s: Don't forget to get the "fake gun, rope, duct tape and bullet proof vest" and keep them all handy...just in case they might come in handy in a hurry...what a bunch of Government fools...don't take their advice either...an utter waste of time...!..what complete idiots...they just bankrupt of ideas...they operating on automatic - by "VAPs" only...!
...here in good ole T&T, you're all on your own..!.
Goodluck...!
Trini.t.o.o
what a big joke bullet proof
what a big joke bullet proof vest for the prisoners and more police to secure the courts unarmed.Where are they going to get more police to protect the courts (guess) they are going to take the few officers that patrol our neighbourhoods the ones who respond to crime and put them to stand unarmed in the court they are also going to have them escort the prisoners wearing bullet proof vest in the streets on their way to court so criminals that intend to assisinate a prisoner got to train at the range more often or be a marks man.On the other hand why not build the courts with a fortress mentality and have them housed in the courts and put the security officer that work at the PM palace to secure the courts.Some stations in the police department only have two to tree officers on a shift and every day officers are retiring or quitting and these officals continue to play politics with the safety and security of it citizens what a disgrace the police does not even have the right tools to bo their job efficiently and professionally because they are not even asked whats is needed they get what the COP and the Minister hand out and if they have concerns they better not ask the question because they will be labled,not promoted and transferred to hell .
Why not buy one of the "Pope
Why not buy one of the "Pope Mobile?" It is bullet proof, visibility is good allowing the prisoner to wave at friends and family members.
Now don't go and give
Now don't go and give Manning any ideas. He already has on his shopping list 1 executive jet, maybe 2, 4 luxury helicopters, and a new fleet of Bimmers, Mercs and SUVs.
If prisoners are given
If prisoners are given bulletproof vest to wear then it is only fair that police are given dunce caps to wear when escorting the prisoners.