Acting DCP (Investigations and Intelligence) Curt Simmons has given the assurance that Carnival 2023 will be the safest.
Simmons made the statement during a Joint Select Committee (JSC) meeting on Wednesday.
The TTPS was expected to be lead by Commissioner-designate Erla Harewood Christopher at the meeting, however, she did not attend, much to the disappointment of JSC members.
Christopher sent correspondence stating that she was unable to attend, due to matters urgent and critical to national insurance.
Simmons led the TTPS’ executive during the session.
The acting DCP assured that Carnival 2023 will be one of the safest, adding that a targeted approach will be taken when it comes to beefing up security.
Apart from the call out of all officers on leave to strengthen squads, Simmons pledged that response times will be faster than before.
“We are trying to gauge and measure the response that we’re having so that we can react to our situations that we anticipate, and we are anticipating things, not that we are hoping for things, but we are anticipating things. So, we are putting things in place to deal with the things we anticipate, there are certain places that tend to be troubled at different times of the Carnival.”
In response to concerns by members Jaynti Lutchmedial and Dr Roodal Moonilal of TTPS paraphernalia being found at crime scenes, Simmons said that steps, including possible legislative changes, were being taken to address the matter.
“Internally, we have instructed that only our Task Forces throughout the nation are allowed to use certain types of kit and that is the blue one. The charge room personnel will revert to the blue and grey as we know it. The balaclava, that mask which came out during the COVID-19, a number of officers were holding on to it. We have instructed that that be removed when persons are dealing directly with the public, Simmons told the JSC.
“We have looked at our legislation, which actually speaks against it, and I think other agencies, mostly security companies, would have been allowed to use items that resemble police kits and we are planning a meeting to address that issue.”
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