PM Kamla calls out Defence Force reserves

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told reporters Wednesday that she has asked for about 400 Defence Force Reserves to be called out to assist in maintaining law and order in the country.

She said the National Security Council made the decision about the troops on Tuesday.

Persad-Bissessar said the decision is not because of threats by police to stage another sick-out to protest the five per cent increase in salaries offered by the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO) but rather to strengthen the visibility of law enforcement officers throughout major crime hot spots.

She said, "We intend to strengthen the troops on the ground throughout the country from today (Wednesday) and carrying it forward.

"This initiative could not be more timely, given that we will have the festivities of Carnival. So I thank the officers from the Police Service , from the Regiment, who have agreed to have a collaborative effort, an intensified effort in the fight against crime,” she said.

She explained that the Security Council met for five hours Tuesday night to plan the way forward, noting that the full plan would be unveiled in the weeks ahead.

"Visibility is one area which we discussed. I can say that because it is what you are seeing...High visibility...is on the card and will be happening,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar also said that disbanding the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT) at the end of August won't compromise the safety and security of the country because the officers assigned to the unit will remain in the protective services.

“They continue to work. What was happening is that we had so many agencies, everything was scattered. We are not going to lose the expertise of these officers. Indeed, we will come together and work together, so that is the plan that we have in mind,” she said.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Anti-Crime Operations, Raymond Craig, said a recent initiative using the CCTV Response Unit in East Port of Spain resulted in a reduction in criminal activities.

He said there has been a 30 per cent decrease in serious crimes in the community, which is a known crime hot spot. Commanding Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment Col Anthony Phillips-Spencer also reiterated the Army’s commitment to fighting crime.