The Executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service welcomed 10 newly appointed Sergeants of Police. The officers were promoted during a ceremony on Thursday at the Solomon McLeod Lecture Theatre at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain.
This newly promoted batch of Sergeants is expected to bolster the management of the second division officers, ensuring task management, and policing, through public education discussions and law enforcement. This is expected through key crime-fighting reduction strategies.
The only woman police officer promoted, Sgt. Patrice Elder-Baksh, attached to the Complaints Division said she felt thankful as she would have been acting in the capacity of sergeant since 2010 at various intervals. This promotion she shares, will allow her to function fully in her role as an investigator. Elder-Baksh explains as an Acting Sergeant, she could only investigate Police Constables and Special Reserve Police Officers; this promotion will see her adding Corporals to her investigation docket.
Jameel Bowen, a second division officer, attached to the St. Clair Police Station is another officer promoted to the rank of Sergeant, he says this feels like confirmation rather than a promotion. Bowen stated he has been acting in the position since 2019, he says this promotion gives him the confidence to fulfil his role as a police officer in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher congratulated the nine men and one female officer saying, “It is indeed a pleasure to congratulate you on your promotion.” CoP Harewood-Christopher pointed out that 4 out of 10 of the officers promoted would retire soon, one as soon as October this year. She asked all 10 of them to serve. She told them “Their country needs them; they are crying out for police officers!”
She shared that violent crimes are fuelled by guns, drugs and murders, she persisted “I Know we are asking much of you because much is needed.”
The officers were tasked with meeting their targets set out in the Violent Crime Reduction Plan which the service embarked on in March of 2023. The targets that are to be obtained are not for the Executive but for the people and the name of the organisation to be lifted, so that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service can stand distinguished, honourous and proud.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) Assistant Superintendent of Police (Ag.) Gideon Dickson shared that this promotion is a stepping stone and that they should not stop there. They should continue growing, learning and moving up the ranks in service to the country. He also shared that the TTPSSWA continues to work toward the welfare and well-being of its officers.
Several members of the executive were present to congratulate and wish the newly minted Sergeants well on their journey.
The promoted officers are:
Sgt. Hollis Kent
Sgt. Kelvin Ramlogan
Sgt. Robert Nicholas
Sgt. Jameel Bowen
Sgt. Selvon Nelson
Sgt. Patrice Elder-Baksh
Sgt. Keston Acres
Sgt. Brendon Baptiste
Sgt. Carl Patrice
Sgt. Ian Garcia