Almost a decade later, the newly designed police uniforms will be introduced to the T&T Police Service within the next few months, says Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.
Speaking at a community meeting held at the Mayaro/Rio Claro constituency office yesterday, Griffith said the new uniforms will be more blue and pixel grey and were part of the re-imaging of the TTPS.
“The uniform change is part of the transformation of the TTPS. It will have a belt which will allow the officer to utilise the minimum use of force policy, from the radio, baton, tasers, pepper spray, rubber bullets, to the final use which is your firearm. We will ensure that officers are trained so that they can utilise the tools for the minimum use of force,” Griffith said.
He added that the baton will no longer be used as a means of inflicting pain but will be utilised to subdue individuals.
Griffith noted that the specially designed uniforms will be outfitted with a badge so that the citizenry will be able to clearly identify the officer.
He explained that there is a view that the TTPS is all about “harsh law enforcement, hard targeting deterrents, rapid response, high visibility and arresting.”
“This is not always the case as our job is to have secondary crime prevention which is the use of social avenues to get people to turn away crime,” Griffith said.
He added that he was trying to change the concept of arrogance which some police officers continue to display to the public. Griffith encouraged the public to report these officers so that they could get a gentle reminder of proper customer service.
Asked what was the cost of the new uniforms, Griffith said he could not say as companies had not yet tendered for the uniforms.
He noted that they were still working on the design of the new uniforms for the First Division officers.
Police Welfare Association president Michael Seales said the new uniforms have technical features which make them harder to replicate by criminals.
Drones, boats to patrol coast
The CoP said during his meeting with MP Rushton Paray a request was made for more patrols on the 17 miles beach-front where beach house guests are often robbed and beaten.
Community Liasion officer of British Petroleum Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT) Matthew Pierre said better security should be provided to safeguard energy assets in the eastern region while chairman of the Rio Claro Heritage Festival Committee Ako Mutota called for the re-establishing of the Police Marine Branch.
However, Griffith said a cost benefit analysis showed that re-establishment of the Marine Branch was not feasible, especially in the East coasts where the Atlantic Ocean churns in a rough, choppy mass.
Saying the Coast Guard already had vessels to patrol the seas, Griffith said the TTPS will acquire flat bottomed boats to patrol the rivers and inlets near the coasts.
He also said that drones will be utilised to monitor the coasts.
