While some are questioning the actions of the police that led to six people—including a 15-year-old girl being killed—in Freeport on Wednesday afternoon, the TTPS says the intention was to arrest, not kill.
But Media Ambassador for the Police Service, ASP Rajesh Lal, says the officers were left with no choice.
The TTPS spokesman says the Police Service's Use of Force Policy is frequently reviewed.
“The members of the TTPS had cause to visit a certain location, Upon investigation, we had … intention of arresting individuals and bringing them before the powers that be,” he said. “However, there were shots fired and police officers had to use our Use Of Force Policy.”
He added: “There is a continuous assessment as it relates to our use of force policy.”
ASP Ll says all incidents of police-involved killings are investigated, and the mental wellbeing of police officers following a fatal incident also is taken into consideration.
“It’s something easy,” he says. “We do have systems in place. We have trained social workers who will interact with these officers to determine that there is no post-traumatic stress, and to ensure that … these officers have complied fully with the law, and also are fit to resume duties.”
Some 35 people have been killed in police-involved shootings in 2024, so far.