Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Hundreds of hopeful Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) recruits braved blistering heat, traffic gridlock and hours of waiting in Marabella yesterday, undeterred by the country’s violent crime crisis as they pursued an opportunity to join the TTPS.
The turnout for the document vetting and verification exercise at the Municipal Police Academy brought traffic on Tagore Drive and nearby streets to a crawl, as applicants from across South and Central Trinidad arrived, professionally dressed, with folders containing birth certificates, identification cards, driver’s licences and academic certificates.
With parking quickly exhausted, many applicants were forced to leave their vehicles some distance away and make the long walk to the academy under a scorching sun. Although a light drizzle fell intermittently, it offered little relief as long lines formed outside the venue.
The exercise marked the latest stage of the TTPS recruitment process for shortlisted applicants, who were required to present original documents and coloured copies before progressing further.
For Siparia resident Shania Hosein, the opportunity fulfilled a long-held ambition.
“I was always into the police thing, so I always said I would join it to become a police. It was what was exciting to me,” Hosein said.
Although policing has become increasingly dangerous amid the country’s high levels of violent crime, such as murders, sexual assault and home invasions, Hosein said she understood the risks.
“If you’re signing up for the police, you’re bound to walk into the crime, so you’ve got to be ready for it.”
She described the verification process as lengthy, with applicants waiting well over an hour before officials examined their documents.
Joshua Charles, of Claxton Bay, said he had not anticipated such a large turnout.
“When we came here this morning, there were a lot of people. A very long, long, long, long... It’d be approximately 500 people, give or take,” he estimated.
He said some applicants completed the exercise while others were asked to provide additional documents before their applications could continue.
“I have to go to St James to drop in more documents to wait to find out to get through,” Charles said after spending more than three hours at the venue.
For Che Guevarro, of La Romaine, the lengthy wait was a small price to pay.
“It was a long procedure, but at the same time, there were worse, so I don’t mind,” he said.
Asked what motivated him to pursue a policing career, Guevarro replied, “I want betterment in my life. That is all, basically.”
Joshua Hamilton, 24, of California, admitted he was overwhelmed by the number of people seeking to join the TTPS.
“To be honest, no. This was overwhelming,” he said when asked whether he had expected such a large turnout.
Hamilton said his decision to apply was rooted in a desire to serve others rather than concern over the challenges of the job.
“What attracts me about the Police Service is serving your country and being somebody that others could look up to in authority. That’s what basically attracts me, and being somebody that could help others in the community.”
While acknowledging the reality of violent crime, Hamilton said it had not shaken his resolve.
“Crime happens every day, but me personally, I feel that it’s not something I would have a problem with because, as I say, I want to serve my community and help my country, so I think that it would be something not so challenging for me.”
