The Police Welfare Association says that it agrees with the Opposition Leader that law enforcement officers should have personal firearms when they are off duty.
Speaking on the Power Breakfast Show this morning Head of the Association Gideon Dickson said protection of police officers should not only be considered when they are on duty.
He noted that officers should have a primary and secondary weapon at their disposal on a twenty hour basis.
He suggested based on the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago, it now seemed necessary for officers to be armed continuously.
He said that the activity of the officers is well known to the criminal elements so something must be done to ensure that they don’t capitalize on this.
He said that the preservation of the livelihood of men and women in the police force should be the focus.
He insisted that this was not the time to politicize the issue.