The TT Police Service is being asked to consider the recruitment of Venezuelan nationals.
This suggestion was made by Fr Eric Thompson yesterday morning, during an interfaith service held by the T&T Police Service (TTPS) at the St Thomas Anglican Church, Chaguanas Main Road, Chaguanas.
The service was held to mark the 69th anniversary of the Celebration of Women in the Police Service. Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher was among the team of officers present at the service.
Fr Thompson said a large number of Venezuelan nationls currently reside in Trinidad and Tobago, and consideration ought to be given to utilise some of these law-abiding individuals, especially women, in the Police Service to treat with the rising crime situation in this country.
“Striking a balance may mean the recruitment from Venezuela into the Police Service. Before we know it, we will have a migrant population from Venezuela that will be hard to infiltrate…. Maybe it is time to review our laws, to review the Police Service Act to include in our recruiting strategies (Spanish-speaking women) to bridge the cultural gap and to give you a fighting chance in this dark world that will become darker in the years to come,” Thompson suggested.
He also urged the TTPS to foster stronger bonds with youths.
“You are seeing changes in gang warfare and other emerging trends…look at today’s headline (Thursday) where you are seeing this young lady who died as a result of a gun that was brought into her home. How many more do we have in our school systems?
“The future of women will also be shaped by evolving the relationship between your members and the community. Building trust and fostering that positive relationship with the public will be essential to effective policing in Trinidad and Tobago,” Thompson said.
He also called on the citizenry to work with the police, noting they do not have the manpower to police everyone on a one-to-one basis.
“Traditionally the police is blamed for everything that goes wrong in society, and you have graciously kept your silence because you are a disciplined group led by a godly Commissioner,” Thompson said.