A FLEET of 100 vehicles valued at $26 million was handed over to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Transit Police and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force yesterday.
The Vehicle Handover Ceremony to the arms of national security took place at Vehicle Management Company of Trinidad and Tobago (VMCOTT) premises, Beetham Gardens in Port of Spain.
Attending the ceremony were Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher, chairman of VMCOTT Neil Bennett, Air Vice Marshal Darryl Daniel of the TTDF and Director of Law Enforcement Policy (OLEP).
Bennett handed over the fleet consisting of Toyota Corolla sedans, Toyota Hiluxs, Toyota Rav4 SUVs and SSangyong SUVs to Hinds. Hinds said the vehicles will supplement the existing fleet in its anti-crime fight during the Carnival period.
He also underscored that in order for the protective services to push back against criminal elements it was imperative that they be equipped with requisite tools and resources.
He noted that the provision of the fleet to the TTPS, Trinidad and Tobago Transit Police and TTDF was the ministry’s response to a call from these agencies for the additional tools they needed to perform their duties more efficiently.
Hinds said Defence Force will be supplementing the TTPS in its anti-crime initiatives, and the increase in vehicles means that there will be an increased security presence in the country which will act as a deterrent to criminal activity.
“This was the idea when the National Security Council decided to follow the request and support the request of these leaders (of security agencies). It was to create visibility, it was to enhance swiftness and mobility, agility and response to the citizens when they need us wherever they need us,” he said. Commenting on the shortage of response police vehicles, Hinds said in recent times he has not received any “major complaints” on vehicle shortages at police stations.
“The police simply from a common sense perspective cannot be everywhere in every house, by every gate, by every bar where something untoward may happen but I think that we can occupy the places where we can be and these vehicles are designed to enhance that occupation and as I say response and agility to the crime patterns in the country.”
Ready to serve
Asked by the Express what is his message to the criminal elements who may be planning to engage in illegal activities now that the country is approaching the peak of the Carnival season, Hinds responded: “I want them to take note of the fact that the 10,000 officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service are well trained, well motivated, confident and will continue in accordance with the laws that govern them stand in defence of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, supported of course by the Defence Force.”
He also said that, based on a security briefing he had on Thursday, air, sea and land operations have already begun and will continue into Carnival and thereafter. Police Commissioner Erla Christopher also reinforced that the new addition to the fleet of TTPS vehicles will assist in achieving and maintaining its anti-crime operations but added that vehicles alone do not solve crime.
“I want to recognise the hard-working officers who continue to put their lives at risk on a daily basis. And I want to use this opportunity to thank them and assure them that all their issues will be addressed….I want to assure the nation of the commitment of the officers of Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. We understand what is required and we are ready and capable.”