Police Commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christophers has assured that the welfare of officers within the TT Police Service has always bene their top priority.
This after President of the Police Social and Welfare Association ASP Gideon Dickson promised that from next year police officers will not be subjected to arduous working conditions on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
Harewood said: “Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a fixed event on our country’s calendar of events. An event of this magnitude demands critical planning, astute leadership among the ranks and above all, the critical management of the organization’s most valuable asset, its human resource.”
She said the performance of officers on duty during this period was quite commendable and this was acknowledged in several quarters, locally and internationally.
“As Commissioner of Police, I too, commend all officers who turned out for duty and proudly represented the organization,” she said.
“Managing, events of this magnitude do not come without challenges, and places quite a heavy demand on the organization’s human resources, while also having to manage the daily challenges to safety and security, and the various categories of threats and risks. While managing the carnival activities we are also simultaneously required to ensure essential law enforcement to the rest of the jurisdiction and the protection of critical national plant and infrastructure.”
The top cop said this responsibility requires the careful deployment of their available man power as there cannot be any compromise of services in any area. “And while it is the norm to not have a hundred percent turnout of officers for duty we have always managed the availability of officers as a critical success factor in our operations.”
Harewood-Christopher added: “Operational excellence and Occupational Health and Wellness are strategic objectives in our 2022 to 2024 Strategic and Operational plans and this makes the welfare of our officers a top priority. It is for this reason that all officers who perform duties during the carnival period are granted four days compensatory leave and in the case of Special Reserve officers, they are granted monetary compensation.”
She assured that the TTPS is committed to the welfare of its officers and will continue to explore opportunities to implement initiatives that will redound to their benefit.
“As Commissioner of Police, and having a general responsibility for the officers, I am committed to the welfare of our officers and I look forward to constructive dialogue with the representative body, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Social and Welfare Association to agree and partner with us to implement initiatives that will redound to the benefit of the officers.”
“As an administration we will continue to routinely review our operational plans and improve on areas where there is an opportunity for us to do so.”
The Police Commissioner assured all concerned that the TTPS remains a caring, competent, and committed organization focused on providing consistent high-quality services to all our stakeholders.