Thirty-six police officers of the Tobago Division today received letters of commendations, certificates of achievement and monetary awards following the seizure of five firearms and a quantity of ammunition for the period January 1st, 2024, to present.
The commendation was held at the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Eastern and Tobago, Conference Room, at the ADB Building, Young and Robinson Streets, Scarborough.
For 2024, Tobago Police removed five firearms; one rifle, two pistols, and two revolvers; and 24 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition from several communities.
Among the units responsible and praised were the Scarborough Criminal Investigations Department, Tobago Division Task Force, Emergency Response Patrol, Inter-Agency Task Force and the Roxborough and Scarborough Police Stations.
In presenting the awards to the officers, ACP Collis Hazel, told the officers that their gallantry, bravery and commitment to making the island safer could not have gone unnoticed by the Executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Leadership of the Tobago Division.
Acknowledging that officers are facing “several challenges” in relation to the crime trends currently being recorded on the island, ACP Hazel said the commendations were meant to act as a catalyst to inspire other officers.
He said while some officers may feel disenchanted and discouraged, he hoped the acknowledgement of their peers’ hard work will inspire them to add their efforts and become greater team players in reducing serious crimes, such as murders, which are usually committed by firearms.
Meanwhile, Superintendent, Rodhill Kirk, urged the officers not to give up and that their efforts were not in vain.
Supt Kirk congratulated the various sections for serving their island fearlessly and for ensuring that citizens can feel a sense of safety despite the troubling reports coming from some communities.
Also congratulating the officers were Assistant Superintendents, Mark Joseph and Carlton Lee Tang, among station commanders and middle management.