TTPS QUARTERLY No.1

TTPS Premier Issue July-September, 2016PoliAcinCghaSntgraeteIngy



JULY - SEPTEMBER 201604 Message from the Commissioner of Police 0806 Editor’s Note07 Police Recruits Urged to be ‘Police Ambassadors’ 12 2808 TTPS Records Lowest Number of Serious Crimes in 61 Evolving Times - On the Frontlines of a Tech Revolution Three Decades: Hot Spot Policing Works in the TTPS09 Using Knowledge To fight Crime in Trinidad and 63 Finance Branch - Moving from Mediocrity to Excellence Tobago: The Police Partnership with Cambridge 64 Caring Intervention for Troubled Youth University 66 iRoadsafe: TTPS Road Safety Education and12 691 Illegal Firearms Seized: Largest Haul in the Awareness Drive Caribbean 68 Police Academy Pulls Marching Hat-trick at TTPS 93rd14 Crackdown on Speeders Sports Day : GEB Overall Champs18 Justice Is What Love Looks like in Public20 In Pursuit of Improved Customer Service: Mystery 31 55 Customer Initiative PoliceServiceTT TTPoliceService www.ttps.gov.tt21 Station of the Month Initiative – Aimed at Better Policing22 Touching the Heart to Positively Influence the Mind24 School Intervention Programme: Anti-Bullying25 Partnering with Communities for a Safer Trinidad and Tobago28 Making Tobago Safe For You: Tourist Oriented Policing30 CoP Calls for National Approach to ‘Social Control’31 Training of Police Officers for future Challenges34 Driving Under the Influence36 Crime Statistics: The Key to Crime Fighting in the TTPS38 Help Solve Crime40 Police Academy-Regional and International Scope42 Establishment of a Professional Standards Bureau43 Mediation - a Solution to Settling Complaints?47 2015 Performance Awards: Northern Division Overall Top Performer in Crime Fighting for 201549 Major Promotions in 201650 A Model of Staff Engagement – Trinidad and Tobago Police Service52 Strengthening Our Organisation - The HR Way54 After Service Improvement55 Improving Safety on Our Roadways58 Integrated Analysis-One of the Possible Solutions to Violent Crime in Trinidad and Tobago

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I n my capacity as Commissioner of Police (Ag.), it is hoped that through this medium and other on-going initiatives to improve relations with citizens and stakeholder communities, public trust and confidence in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will be regained. This new magazine, the TTPS Quarterly, is reflective of our commitment to good governance, transparency and accountability. The articles and stories are informative and should bring a greater level of understanding of the changing dynamics of policing in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean; and in so doing, prompt collaborative opportunities that lead to safer homes and communities. The model of policing that has proven effective is one in which there is heavy community involvement, which is matched with proactive, responsive, professional and sensitive policing. In addition to our town and station council meetings as well as routine face-to-face, on the ground interactions with citizens, this latest platform will further enhance communication and will take us closer to our mission which states ‘in partnership with the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, we provide for safe and secure communities and other places through professional policing, focused leadership and consistent, high quality service’. This magazine will no doubt prove to be an interesting read for which constructive criticism is welcomed. Stephen Williams04

Professor Lawrence W. Sherman Publisher 05 Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Editor Ellen Lewis Head Corporate Communications Content Co-ordinator Myrnelle Ahyoung-Thompson Snr. Corporate Communications O cer Proofreading ASP (Ag.), Karen Lancaster Ellis, Crime and Problem Analysis Branch Writers Sumit Kumar Fellow, Cambridge Center for Evidence Based Policing ASP (Ag.), Michael Pierre Public Information O cer Daniella Johnson Corporate Communications O cer Eshe Jewel Bruce Corporate Communications O cer David Riley Corporate Communications O cer Brionne Antoine Crime Analyst, Crime and Problem Analysis Branch No.14036 Sgt. Bryon Daniel Professional Standards Bureau Tricia O’Neil Human Resource O cer III Kerwin Gordon Corporate Communications O cer No.16050 Cpl. Susan Guy Tourism Oriented Policing Section, Tobago Division Donna Jennings-Toney Coordinator CITY Programme Photographic Support No. 13388 Sgt. Lou Ann Ollivierre No. 13335 Cpl. (Ag.), Nigel Stephen Audio Visual Unit Art Direction/ Graphic Design Kenneth Henry Printers Scrip- J Special thanks to the contributors and sponsors for making this inaugural publication possible. Contact Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Police Administration Building Cor. Edward and Sackville Streets Port of Spain O ce: (868) 625-8395 Fax: (868) 625-7133 Email: publica [email protected] www.ttps.gov.tt TTPS Quarterly is published by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Corporate Communications Department All rights reserved. Trinidad and Tobago Police Service must be appropriately credited for any partial reprint or duplication of this magazine

Editor’s Note rinidad and Tobago Police Service introduces Ellen Lewis stakeholders and readers to our new magazine Head - Corporate Communications entitled, TTPS Quarterly. As the name suggests the magazine will be produced on a quarterly basis beginning with the current July-September 2016 issue.TTPS Quarterly will focus on the goals and objectives ofthe Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the challengeswe encounter and experience along the way as we seekto ensure a safer living environment for all and ourachievements and successes. 2016 thus far is proving tobe a remarkable year for theTrinidad andTobago PoliceService as we begin the process of reflecting andevaluating on the extent to which we have achieved thegoals outlined in the TTPS Strategic Plan 2014-2016.Those being: reduce and detect crime; improve safetyon our roadways and in other public places; improve thelevel of citizen-centred service and strengthen theorganisation.In this issue, we begin documenting and reporting to youon progress made towards achieving these goals; andwhile we have not fully succeeded in every aspect ofperformance targeted, we feel confident you will begenerally satisfied and pleased with what we have beenable to accomplish.All we have achieved as an organisation, in terms ofreducing crime and improving customer service, can beattributed to the quality of leadership provided by theCommissioner of Police, committed officers at all ranksand civilian staff along with immense stakeholderassistance. It is in this regard therefore, we recognisethose stakeholders who have contributed to thepublication of this magazine as well as the media anddigital billboard operators for their overwhelmingsupport of the public education and engagementinitiatives of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, forwhich we continue to pursue within the true spirit ofcorporate social responsibility.We hope you enjoy reading and please feel free to shareyour comments and suggestions with us atpublicaff[email protected]. 06

The Honourable Maj. Gen., Edmund Dillon, Minister of National Security isescorted by Parade Commander, Snr. Supt. (Ag.), Floris Hodge-Griffith, as heinspects the parade followed by Commissioner of Police (Ag.), StephenWilliamsandACP (Ag.),Sharon Blake-Clarke.Solid words of advice from Minister of NationalSecurity, theHonourable Major General, Edmund Dillon, to the newpolice recruits at the Passing Out Parade of Batch 2 of2015, Squads F-K, held on Wednesday 4th May, 2016, atthe PoliceAcademy, St James.In delivering the feature address, the Minister noted that Maintaining the tradition of highwith the new intake, the Trinidad and Tobago Police standard, the men dressedService was in a better position to deal with the issues resplendently in their white tunics andof crime and security inTrinidad andTobago. navy blue trousers and the women inCommissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Williams, skirts, exhibited poise and discipline asreminded the young officers of their pledge to do they marched from the Barracks Squarewhat is necessary to serve the nation with pride and to the grounds of the Police Academy.that they have taken up a calling, not simply a Adjudged the Most Outstanding Recruit,profession. No.19932 WPC Griffith was commended“Recognizing that it takes something special to and awarded the Commissioner of Policecommit yourself as a police officer in Trinidad Trophy and the ‘Best Stick”. She was alsoand Tobago, as we go through the formalities commended and awarded the ‘Mostof this Passing-Out Parade, please be Disciplined Female Recruit’ and for gaining thereminded that you have a vested interest in highest marks in the subject DefensiveTactics.how you serve the citizens of this land. It is a The PassingOut came to a close in memorable fashion with the parade gracefullypersonal commitment - one which you owe marching to the melodic tune of the instrumental to Rikki Jai’s ‘Leh We Fete’,to your family; and it is a wider performed by the Police Band, amidst a cacophony of wild cheers from thecommitment to your community and enthusiastic crowd of family, friends and well-wishers.society.” 07

Stephen Williams MBA, M.St, LLB, LEC, MCMI The introduction of Hot Spots Policing to the TTPS in 2013 Commissioner of Police (Ag.) resulted in the largest reduction of serious crimes in any one year in the country’s history. Serious crimes dropped fromTrinidad andTobago Police Service (TTPS) changed its patrolling 17,840 in 2012 to 13,146 in 2013 (26.3%). The reduction instrategy and is now enjoying phenomenal success. serious crimes has continued in 2014 and 2015 with annual totals of 12,057 and 11,135 respectively.In 2009, TTPS recorded 22,162 serious crimes which is the The progress of the TTPS has been specially recognized byhighest annual total in the country’s history. However, by 2015 Sherman (2015) where he states “several police agencies, inthe annual total serious crimes dropped to 11,135 which is the early 2015, are poised on the brink of a wide ranging effort tolowest annual figure for 33 years. use best evidence for changing the way police resources are used. In the lead is Trinidad and Tobago, which completelyHow was this success achieved? reshaped its patrol strategy (as measured by global positioningTheTTPS made a radical change in 2013 by the introduction of a systems tracking –GPS)”.Hot Spot Policing Strategy targeting crime hot spots in the 40 TheTTPS has adopted an evidence-based policing approach topolice station districts with the highest levels of serious crimes. the business of policing. The organization is using research toThis strategy included the following key features: guide its policing improvements. • Identifying all high concentrations of serious crimes in small geographic spaces in station districts (Hot Spots) • Geofencing those identified hot spots • GPS tracking of all mobile patrols • Mandating mobile patrols to focus on hot spots • Increasing patrols at nighttime (8p.m. – 4 a.m.) when crime is most prevalent • Increasing ‘stop and search’ of vehicles and persons in hot spots for firearms • Focusing on the arrest and prosecution of prolific offenders 08

Using KnowledgeTrinitdoadFigahntdCTroimbaegion: Professor Lawrence W. ShermanDirector of the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge Wolfson Professor of Criminology Sumit Kumar Fellow, Cambridge Center for Evidence Based Policing ll across the world, progressive police agencies are • What police can do to prevent shootings and learning from the recent achievements of the murders in these locations Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). From Australia to Sweden, from England to Argentina, • What police leaders can do to inspire morepolice leaders are closely following this rapid progress. The productivity in crime preventionfollowing lists just a few of the things the world is learningfromTrinidad andTobago police: • Whether police use of hi-tech bandages can save • How to use advanced data analysis to predict lives of wounded victims where and when violent crimes occur • How to use GPS devices to track policing on the These achievements did not happen just by chance. They most crime-prone streets grew out of a non-partisan strategy under two governments, to work with the world’s leading university. For over ten years, the TTPS has developed a thriving partnership with the 09

University of Cambridge, its Institute of Criminology, and the Supported by the advanced technical framework forCambridge Centre for Evidence-Based Policing Ltd. The targeting, testing and tracking the best use of policepartnership began with senior officials attending the part-time resources—the “Triple-T” of data-driven, evidence-basedMaster’s degree course at Cambridge in Applied Criminology policing--TTPS leaders have attained several majorand Police Management, a 20-year old course that is now milestones:attended by police leaders from all over the world. The 1. A 90-day controlled test of a strategy to reduce homicidespartnership accelerated in 2012 when Cambridge graduate and shootings-woundings, comparing 20 stations using theStephen Williams was appointed to act as Commissioner of strategy to 20 that did not.This study concluded in late 2013,Police. which showed that the strategy reduced these lethal crimes by 41% in the pilot stations compared to the 20 other stationsOne of Mr. Williams’ first decisions as Commissioner was to doing business as usual. The strategy directed police toenlist six Cambridge faculty members to trainTTPS officers of increase patrol time in the five or more micro-locations inall ranks, primarily in Trinidad, as well as by recorded lectures. each station area where most homicides have occurred. ItIn a series of courses lasting from one day to 12 weeks, the also provided feedback every two weeks to the patrol teamsCambridge faculty has now trained over 500TTPS officers. that were providing the patrol time, comparing the performance of different shifts and stations.The Cambridge academics providing the training include the 2. A 2014 rollout of the successfully tested homicidefollowing: prevention strategy across Trinidad, based on an extensive• Professor Lawrence Sherman, Director of the Institute refinement of the Global Positioning Satellite tracking of the whereabouts of every marked police car in the country. of Criminology and Chief Executive of the Cambridge 3. The Commissioner’s establishment of a weekly meeting Centre for Evidence-Based Policing; with all Divisional commanders to review the progress in• Dr. Heather Strang, Director, Cambridge Police implementing the desired patrol minutes in the Executive Programme; highest-violent places at the high-homicide times.• Dr. Barak Ariel, Lecturer in Experimental 4. The six-fold increase in the average time of police patrols Criminology, Cambridge University; per hot spot from 20 minutes to 120 minutes per day, right• Dr. JusticeTankebe, University Lecturer in Criminology, across Trinidad. Cambridge University;• Dr. Katrin Muller-Johnson, Senior Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Cambridge University;• Dr.Timothy Coupe, Lecturer in Criminal Justice, Cambridge University 10

5. A massive reduction in homicide from mid-2014 to early the first half numbers will be substantially below that2015 in response to the increased time of patrols in the hot long-term average and the signs are encouraging.spots. Whether, or how much, the improvement was caused by6. The launch in April 2015 of an unprecedented use of the partnership with Cambridge University cannot below-cost, but highly effective, haemostatic bandages to determined with certainty. There are few observers,save lives of wounded people who might otherwise bleed however, who would say that the TTPS operates noto death on the way to the hospital. We can find no other differently today than it did in recent years.police agency in the world that has provided these Many observers would agree just the opposite: that thereadvanced bandages to their operational teams, let alone are clear changes in the way in which the TTPS uses itsevaluated whether the strategy can save lives. Thebandages work by effectively scarce resources, focusing on the “Triple-T” ofsealing the skin around and over evidence-based policing as taught at Cambridgea wound, completely cutting off University. The three “Ts” are 1) TARGETING the mostany further blood flow. The important areas, offenders or victims identified by “bigopportunity to save lives with data” analyses of thousands of events and records—andthese bandages is provided at not just by guesswork; 2) TESTING strategies, like hotpresent to the Task Force spot police patrols, that are focused on the mostofficers who are the police who important targets, and keeping only those practices thatarrive first on the scenes of pass the test while discarding those that do not; 3)shootings and woundings most TRACKING the delivery of police services to ensure that itoften. complies with what TESTING has found to work best with7. A planned test of police use of the most important TARGETS—feeding back the trackingbody-worn videos, which could results to the TTPS officers doing the work, and correctinghelp reduce conflict between any leadership failures in ensuring that the work getspolice, citizens and suspects. A done. In relentlessly applying all three “Ts” to policeprior test in California found that operations in Trinidad and Tobago, the Commissioner ofcameras reduced both use of Police (Ag.) and his teams have been leading the way forforce by police and complaints other police agencies around the world. In 2014, TTPSmade against the police. Use of recorded the lowest serious crimes in 30 years (12,055). Ifsuch cameras in areas where the 2015 trend continues, they stand to break that recordmost violent conflicts between in 2015. On 8 July, an international conference inpolice and suspects have Cambridge heard reports of these and other successes inoccurred could show the Trinidad and Tobago. It seems appropriate that a countrypotential to improve police relations with all citizens. known as “T & T” should be first to succeed with a “TTT”The value of these developments was seen in April 2015, strategy.when a sudden spike in homicides occurred. The TTPSimmediately mobilized all of the tools of evidence-basedpolicing. The on-site project manager for the CambridgeCentre for Evidence-Based Policing worked with the TTPSCrime and Problem Analysis (CAPA) Branch and the TTPSInformation Technology unit to track the increase inhomicides to police areas that had seen a decrease inGPS-measured patrol time at the homicide hot spots. Theweekly meeting with Divisional commanders became astrategy session for reversing the sudden upswing inmurders. A plan of action was agreed; the plan was carriedout; patrols were increased where they were needed most;the spike in homicides suddenly stopped.The laws of statistics say that sudden spikes can occur, andthen disappear, sometimes for no apparent reason. Wecannot be sure that all of the evidence-based response tothe homicide problem has caused it to decline, either inthe short run or the long run. But the evidence of reducedhomicide in the long run is encouraging. In the four yearsfrom 2009 through 2012, the average number ofhomicides in the first half of the year was 237. In 2015, 11

Myrnelle Ahyoung - Thompson Snr. Corporate Communications OfficerAt the end of calendar 2015,Trinidad andTobago Police Service(TTPS) had removed from the streets of Trinidad and Tobago,691 illegal firearms. This represented an 18% increase over the585 seized/discovered the previous year by police officers.In Jamaica, which is also grappling with gun relatedviolence and with a population of 2,803,362, officers of theJamaica Constabulary Force seized 576 illegal firearms in2015.This was revealed by Commissioner of Police (Ag.), StephenWilliams, in an address to officers at an Evidence Based Policinggraduation ceremony at the Police Academy St. James, on May22nd, 2016.As of August 25th, 2016, 501 illegal firearms were seized by thepolice when compared to 417 for the same period.This net haul of firearms falls in line with Goal #1 of the TTPSStrategic Plan 2014-2016 intended to “reduce and detect crime”and forms one of four quadrants of focus for the organization.At the start of 2015, the Commissioner of Police challenged hisofficers to “get the guns off the streets” saying:-“Firearms are used in 75 % of all murders and if we take thefirearms out of the hands of the criminals, we should see adrop in murders.There is a clear correlation, even though itmay be a negative correlation. As one goes up, another one issupposed to come down and that is our intention. So if wecould lift the firearm removal level, we should be able to seethe murder rate dropping,”This challenge was accepted and met by officers, asDecember 31st 2015 saw an increase of firearm seizures and a37.5% decrease in serious reported crimes. 12

81% of the murders committed in 2015, were firearm FIREARM TYPE Totalrelated whilst as of June 2016, 75% of murderscommitted were with the use of unlicensed firearms. Revolver 160While the rate of murders remains a troubling area of Pistol 329concern, such an outstanding performance in the Shotgun 62seizure of illegal firearms is a manifestation of the hard Homemade Shotgun 47work and commitment of the officers in the ongoing Rifle 30fight against crime and criminality. Trap gun 11The biggest challenge facing the TTPS in its efforts to Machine Gun 23reduce violent crimes is the steady flow of illegal Other 19firearms and ammunition into Trinidad and Tobago and Air Rifle 10the clear negative correlation with the rate of murders.Data from the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch of TOTAL 691theTTPS show the following types of weapons seized in2015:- Type of Firearms Seized and Found for the period January 1st – December 31st 2015 13

Superintendent (Ag.) Mathura SinghTraffic and Highway Patrol BranchIntroduction and Highway Patrol Branch – Records and Statistical Unit, eightIn May of 2016, the Minister of Works and Transport, the hundred and fifty (850) persons lost their lives in road trafficHonourable Fitzgerald Hinds, gave approval via Ministerial collisions over the last five years (2011-2015).This represents anOrder for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to average road death rate of 13 per 100,000 population forTrinidadutilize a laser based speed gun (Lidar) as an approved speed and Tobago, which according to the WHO (World Healthmeasuring device for determining a vehicle’s speed on a Oganisation) Global Status Report on Road Safety (2015), placesroadway. This meant police officers were now empowered to us higher than some Caribbean countries such as Jamaica (11.5)use speed guns to help manage the risk on the roadways and Barbados (6.7). Last year’s figure of 147 recorded road deathsposed by reckless drivers who often endanger both represented one of the lowest figures inTrinidad andTobago inthemselves and other road users by exceeding roadway speed fourteen (14) years, a good indication that some of the nationallimits. Interestingly, the move also brought with it a plethora interventions are working but the figure is still unacceptably highof motorists canvassing to seek the immediate increase of for what is categorised as a preventable or unintentional cause ofroadway speed limits from the highway authorities. death.Road Safety inTrinidad andTobago The Problem of Excessive SpeedingIn the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Strategic Plan “Officer, I drive fast but safe!”…this is often the quintessential2014-2016, one of the key areas identified for directing reasoning presented by self- proclaimed “safe” drivers toTTPSnational policing efforts for harm and injury prevention, is in Highway Patrol Officers. These drivers possess the innatethe area of road safety. According to the data from the Traffic ability to separate in their minds the acceptable and justifiable behavioral risk of breaching speed limits from contributing to 14

risk on a road network. Many of these drivers have often The Safe System Approach to road safety has been adopted bynever been involved in a collision (a noted subjective but the countries noted for the best road safety performance such ascommon driver safety performance indicator) thus they Australia, Sweden, New Zealand, Germany and the Unitedcreate a logical parallel that their degree of skill and mental Kingdom. The methodology identifies 4 pillars for ensuring afortitude is what keeps them collision free; hence the lack multi-faceted and holistic approach to managing road riskof these attributes in other drivers is what causes serious namely: 1)Safer RoadwaySpeeds; 2)Safer RoadUsers; 3)Saferand fatal accidents…not speed per se. Road Designs and; 4) Safer Vehicles. Supporting these pillars isAccording to a WHO 2008 report on road traffic deaths and the element of a robust emergency response system for crashinjury, speeding, also termed excessive speed, driving victims’ access to medical care, thus the capacity and capabilitiesabove the roadway speed limit or inappropriate speed of collision response agencies such as the Trinidad and Tobago(driving too fast for the prevailing conditions) – is identified Fire Services, Emergency Medical Service and Trinidad andas a major contributory factor in both the number and Tobago Police Service have key roles in road casualty reductionseverity of traffic crashes. The higher a vehicle speed, the efforts.greater the amount of kinetic (moving) energy that must be Speeding and the Lawabsorbed by the impact in a crash therefore becoming a Section 62 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Actfactor in both crash causality and casualty outcome (i.e. Chapter 48:50 makes it unlawful for a driver to drive a motorlevel of injury severity). Managing vehicles speed in the vehicle at a speed greater than that stated in Schedule 2 of theroadway network is a critical part of managing collision risk. Road Traffic Act, which lists the speed limits for outside and15

within built up areas according to vehicle types (e.g. outside Saving Lives and Keeping FamiliesTogetherbuilt up areas such as highways the speed limit of a private Since being authorized to utilise laser speed measuringlight motor vehicle is 80 kmh and 50 kmh within built up areas devices for speed enforcement, the Traffic and Highwaysuch as Wrightson Road, Port of Spain or Southern Main Patrol Branch has already issued over 577 speeding tickets toRoad). drivers for exceeding the roadway speed limit includingSection 62 (5) states “Any person who drives a motor vehicle detecting and ticketing offences with speed readings as highon any road in contravention of the provisions of subsection as 150kmh. Recent data indicates that since the deployment(1) is liable to a fine of six thousand dollars and to be of the speed guns by the police, road traffic deaths havedisqualified from holding or obtaining a driving permit for reduced by 55% in the month of May 2016, with 15 personssuch period as the Court shall think fit. killed in road traffic accidents in May 2015, compared with 7 inUnder the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Enforcement and May 2016.Administration) Act Chapter 48:52, a driver issued a Fixed These numbers represent people who died using the roads,Penalty Notice (traffic ticket) for exceeding the speed limit something we all do almost daily in our lives and their deathsfaces a fine of $1,000. have a ripple effect across the socio-economic structure of Trinidad and Tobago. Each life lost is someone’s father, mother, brother, sister, daughter, etc. and such loss is unquestionably immeasurable to loved ones. As officers sworn to uphold the law and to protect and serve, theTrinidad andTobago Police Service will continue its efforts to help make the roads safe for all and we appeal to all road users to help in the road safety efforts by obeying all traffic laws and practising safe and responsible road use at all times. Remember iRoadsafe! Because road safety begins with me! 16

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hairman of the Police Service Commission, 1830 officers from varying ranks, who maintained a Dr. Maria Therese Gomes, at an event record of exemplary attendance, were honoured recognising the commitment of officers to for their dedication to the Trinidad and Tobago duty, urged officers to “temper policing with Police Service. The officers were recognised in love”. Dr. Gomes made the appeal at a ceremony in three categories: 10 years (2005-2014), 5 years which police officers, who distinguished themselves (2010-2014) and 1 year (2014). by refraining from abusing the sick leave provision, Commissioner Williams, however, leading by were recognised by theCommissioner of Police (Ag.), example, was in a league all of his own having not Stephen Williams, for their exemplary attendance taken sick-leave for 36 years. record. In all, three such ceremonies were held on May 1st, June 22nd andAugust 21st 2015. Dr. Gomes, the feature speaker at the firstDr. MariaTherese Gomes, Chairman, Police Service Commission event, reminded the officers that they should engage more citizens and partner with members of the community in an effort to achieve good policing. According to the PSC Chairman, officers should treat citizens with dignity and respect, citing African American scholar Cornel West, she said, “Justice is what love looks like in public“. Dr. Gomes urged officers to execute their duties tempered with love and that this would have a greater effect on how well policing would be executed. Then, Independent Senator and President of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association, Dr. Rolph Balgobin, at the June 12th 2015 event for officers who did not utilise any sick leave for 5 years, commended officers for not taking sick leave even though the facility was there. He also delved deeper into the importance of the ceremony and what the officers had achieved since “absenteeism can put the 18

lives of officers at risk”. Dr. Balgobin continued “when people are runningout, police officers are running in and just one missing team member canmake the difference”. He later applauded the officers for their hard workand praisedCommissionerWilliams for his excellent leadership.Mr. Stephen Shepard, Director of Human Resources, University of theWest Indies, St. Augustine spoke at the final ceremony on August 21st2015, and noted that abuse of the sick leave provision would becounterproductive not just to crime fighting but also to economicdevelopment. He explained that in making the country safe officers arealso playing a part in boosting theTrinidad andTobago economy.This,hesaid,isasaresultofthereducedrisktoinvestors. AccordingtoMr.Shepard, “while low absenteeism and no abuse of sick leave are to beapplauded, I wish to highlight issues of work-life balance.” He remindedofficers that they need to dedicate time to their family life and alsostressed the need for officers to take care of their health by eatingproperly and engaging in exercise appropriate for their age.CommissionerWilliams emphasised the importance of the message that Dr. Rolph Balgobin, Former Independent Senator“police officers are extremely committed to providing their professionalduties and responsibilities to the nation”. The value of the ceremonies,according to theCommissioner, was to motivate and encourage.TheCommissioner reminded officers that, though recognitionwas made in the form of a certificate and a cash incentive, the exercise was not about reward but about the years of dedicatedservice to the citizens ofTrinidad andTobago.Among the executive officers recognised for not utilising the sick leave provision were acting Deputy Commissioners of Police,Harold Phillip, Glen Hackett and Ann MarieAlleyne-Daly.Also recognised wereACPs Deodat Dulchan and Erla Christopher andactingACPsSimon Lendor,Vincel Edwards, Donald Denoon, EnezJoseph,CarltonAlleyne, Harrikrishen Baldeo,Garfield Moore,Sharon Blake-Clarke and Brian Headley.Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations (Ag.), Harold Phillip, engages a member of the public at aTown Meeting. Also photographed areCommissioner of Police (Ag.) StephenWilliams (centre) and Snr. Supt. Donald Denoon. 19

Eshe Jewel Bruce Corporate Communications Officer mproving the quality of customer service delivered to the Mystery Customer Initiative: Commissioner of Police (Ag. ), Stephen public is one of the objectives set by theTrinidad andTobago Williams, (seated) goes through live demonstration at the launch of Police Service (TTPS) in a bid to further indoctrinate a culture the Mystery Customer Initiative at the Belmont Police Station whilst of citizen- centred service. An analysis of complaints looking on is former DeputyCommissioner PoliceAdministration (Ag. ), recorded by the TTPS’ Complaints Division lists ‘impolite Ann Marie Alleyne- Daly.behaviour’ as the leading complaint against police officers.The appropriate forms at stations nationwide; questionnaires‘Mystery Customer Initiative,’ launched on June 17th, 2015, has administered by CSRs to customers as they exited stations;been successfully implemented throughout Trinidad and questionnaires made available online via theTTPS’ website andTobago. the introduction of 800-TTPS, a toll free customer serviceThe organisation developed a number of measures and hotline established to receive feedback.directed resources to better assess and address customer The initiative was first introduced on a pilot basis but has sinceservice issues as outlined in the 2015 Operating Plan. This been expanded to all policing divisions. Feedback gatheredincluded the training of officers as customer service from the Mystery Customer Initiative is collated and reportedrepresentatives and the assignment of such officers to stations. upon.Thus far, the direct approaches of collecting informationTied in with the Customer Feedback System which was have been most fruitful, however, it is hoped that as thesimultaneously launched, the Mystery Customer Initiative programme is promoted, the online and telephone tools will becaptures customer complaints or other sentiments following more heavily utilised.interaction with police officers at stations, on the street and via As the Customer Feedback System remains operational,telephone.These are then reviewed by a committee comprised findings from this initiative will continue to inform programmesof members of the Professional Standards Bureau, the Human and actions geared toward improving the customer experienceResource Branch andAdministration. and the overall quality of policing in the Trinidad and TobagoFurthermore, the Mystery Customer initiative is a proactive Police Service.means of demonstrating to citizens that theTTPS is mindful ofand actively seeking to address customer service deficiencies.The customer monitoring and data gathering approachesimplemented involved feedback/suggestion boxes with 20

- Aimed at Better Policing n the near future each of the nine Divisions of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service will be mandated to ASP (Ag.) Michael Pierre, select a station of the month for each month of the year. Public Information Officer From this pool of monthly selected stations, a station of the year will be selected. This initiative when implemented will generate a healthy competitive environment within the divisions as each station will have the opportunity to be selected. The Inspectors and Sergeants in charge of each station will be motivated to raise the level of their management skills and in so doing encourage and drive their subordinates to perform at optimum level. As the criteria entails the examination of all aspects of performance within each police station, this will generate a sense of camaraderie as the officers will be expected to work together to achieve the goal of working in the most efficient Police Station. The bigger picture of this initiative is the overall improvement in the performance of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the officers performing their duties with Professionalism Respect Integrity Dignity and Excellence in other words with PRIDE!. The benefit of the station of the month initiative within a district will lead to the effective and efficient policing of the district through the maintenance of law and order. The officers within the station district must bring a sense of security and stability to the citizenry within that community by the methods used to accomplish the tasks at hand. The Station of the Month initiative is designed to determine the police station that most effectively serves the internal and external customers in the district. 21

Snr. Supt., Carlton Alleyne “Developing relationships with caring and supportive people through mentoring is the key tool through which we can help young people realize their dreams. The promise of a generation depends on our efforts to reconnect these young people to education and opportunities.” (Melody Barnes) I am convinced, based on my experience in theTrinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), having worked in severely challenged communities, touching the heart to influence the minds of our young people by what we do and how included we make them feel, will develop a sense of self confidence, motivation, discipline, responsibility and the capacity to deal more effectively with mistakes. One of the features of the TTPS Hearts and Mind programme is helping young people to be resilient, believe in themselves and to overcome adversity. 22

Snr. Supt., Carlton Alleyne, interacts with residents of Laventille.In order to help the youth overcome adverse situations, they what they need, and address them in a structured way. Theneed the presence of a person or persons with whom they can piecemeal and kneejerk approach will not help the situation asidentify, who show they care and make them feel valued. The it brings further distrust from these communities when theymen and women in the Hearts and Mind program provide this are left halfway through many unfinished programmes. I ampresence and have touched many young people who have sure there are many young people who can excel in academicsgone on to better themselves gaining employment in the or sports if given the opportunity and support.police environment and others contributing in theircommunities. If given these opportunities, using community decisionAmong the most powerful means of enriching young lives is to making to make a difference, the lives of the children, theenlist their energies in improving their own communities. The youth and families will improve.community must appreciate the value of their youth and givethem the opportunity to contribute. Challenge them to A community and its people, in order to truly succeed,discover that they are special and can be whatever they want, need to answer the following:once they are willing to make the sacrifice. We need role • What is contributing to the current state of ourmodels in the communities who can set the platform andstrengthen the growth path of the youth in their communities. community?The Hearts and Mind programme is constantly interacting • What is needed to change our current state?with schools, churches, the homes and wherever a challenge • What do we want for our children, and what are werears its head, spreading a message that puts value andmeaning to life, but the community itself needs to play its part willing to do to ensure we make a difference?if it is to succeed, they are responsible for their communitiesand support will be given to assist and guide them in achieving Despite all the willingness of Hearts and Minds and alltheir goal. The community must be able to identify its most those who may be willing to help, the community has theimportant needs, therefore it is important to rely upon well most important role to play by making the necessaryrespected community groups and leaders for an assessment adjustments that will facilitate the change process.of its needs and issues the community faces, which in turn will Developing an end result involves the entire community,make its goal become much clearer. including those voices that are not often heard, to ensureLogistical support plays an important part in helping that everyone is investing.communities to attain their goals. Government and privatesector need to play their part by helping challenged The TTPS is committed to helping communities becomecommunities to succeed and contribute in a positive way to better, and safe, as it is part of our mandate and it is alsotheir community and to society as a whole. Skills training is reflected in the mission of the TTPS which states “inalways crucial and will always be helpful, understanding the partnership with the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, wepotential of the human resource you have in the community provide for safe and secure communities and other placesand the strengths and weaknesses, will help in determining through professional policing, focused leadership and consistent, high quality service”. Partner with us and let us work together to build better families, communities and a better Trinidad and Tobago. 23

PScrohgoroal mInmteer:vention Daniella Johnson Corporate Communications Officer iven the prevalence of crimes involving student victims committed at schools, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), developed a programme that would expose students to conflict resolution skills as well ascoping mechanisms to deal with acts of bullying and other forms ofnegative school yard/ class room behaviours that contribute tostudent indiscipline, conflict and violence.In keeping with its mandate to prevent crime and its strategic goal toimprove the level of citizen-centred service, a national school’sintervention programme, was developed aimed at addressing the growingproblem of violence and bullying among students in the nation’s schools.In November, 2013, theTrinidad andTobago Police Service launched itsNational Schools’ Anti-Bullying Programme with the approval of theMinistry of Education on the theme ‘Be a Buddy. Not a Bully. TellSomebody’.The roll out of the programme began in January, 2014.The pilot project initially targeted secondary school pupils of forms1 and 2. However the programme has since been expanded toinclude all primary and secondary school age children and it alsoextends to parents with specific emphasis on fathers.The National School Anti-Bullying Programme focuses on Since its inception, the programme has reached over 7,000reducing and preventing acts of bullying in schools that pupils in the North, West, Central, Southern and Tobagocould lead to violence; and improving peer relations in the divisions of theTrinidad andTobago Police Service and continuesschool environment. to roll out in other areas. 24

PARTNERING WITHCOMMUNITIES FOR A SAFERTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO Kerwin Gordon Corporate Communications OfficerDeputyCommissioner of Police,Operations, (Ag.), Deodat ir Robert Peel considered the father ofDulalchan, responds to an issue raised at aTown Meeting, modern day policing, once observed thatalongside him isACP (Ag.)Carlisle Huggins. getting out in the community and dealing with the daily issues that concern people, is 25 the key to effective policing. Earning peoples’ respect and co-operation in preventing crime are the bedrock of good policing, as this allows citizens to exert an effective democratic check on the police, according to Sir Peele, who is popularly quoted for his saying “the police are the people and the people are the police.” The vision of theTrinidad andTobago PoliceService (TTPS) is to make every place in Trinidad and Tobago safe. Therefore, in keeping with the ‘Peelian’ principle, we are cognisant that solving crime and maintaining safety and security are impossible without the help of the public. Joint responsibility and partnerships according to Sir Peele will be crucial to the success of any policing model. It is against this backdrop that onAugust 6th, 2014, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service began the process of community engagement through the hosting of regular town meetings.

These town meetings are geared toward strengthening community relations, building trust and public confidence, improving policelegitimacy, demystifying the work of the police and engaging residents on community problems and solutionsIn the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, we look forward to continuous feedback from the public in areas where we needimprovement.TheTTPSStrategic Plan 2014-2016 places specific focus on community engagement via goal #3 to ‘improve the level ofcitizen centred service’. These town meetings are held routinely in different station districts across the country by the respectivedivisions.They facilitate problem - solving and have helped to improve relations between the police and the community.ad Timestamped reference points for rapid retrieval26



No.16050 W/Cpl. Susan Guy romoted internationally as the “gem of the Caribbean”, the sister isle Tobago attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Its natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and the hospitality of the people leave an indelible mark on visitors to the quaint island. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, tourism accounts for 46% ofTobago’sGDP, 57% of employment and 96% of its export. With an appreciation of the value of tourism to the economy of Tobago and in keeping with its vision “to make every place in Trinidad and Tobago safe”, the Trinidad andTobago Police Service (TTPS), on Monday 23rd November, 2015, at the 28

Pigeon Point Heritage Park Facility, Pigeon Point, launchedthe Tourism Oriented Police Section (TOPS) of the TobagoDivision. This section serves as the arm of the TTPSdedicated to ensuring the safety and security of touristson the sister isle with the main objective being to “reduceand detect crime” in fulfillment of Strategic Goal #1 of theTTPS Strategic Plan 2014-2016, ensuring visitors’ time onthe island is memorable and well enjoyed. Based at theCrown Point Police Station, TOPS started full operationson Tuesday 1st December, 2015.The Bicycle Patrol Unit, which was launched under theauspices of the Tobago House of Assembly in 2002, hasbeen subsumed under the TOPS.Since the section began operations in December 2015, the When the cruise liners are in the harbour police visibility isofficers of the TOPS have been working diligently to heightened, specifically targeting places of interest touristsprevent crimes against tourists. Data from TOPS reveal are known to frequent such as the: - Rain Forests, Argylethat during the period December 2015 to April 2016, 41 Waterfall, Flag Staff, Cocoa Estate, Botanical Gardens, Fortcruise ships docked on the island with an approximated George, Pigeon Point Heritage Park, Nylon Pool, Fort James,79,770 visitors coming ashore. and Fort Bennett.This is done in an effort to provide a sense of security and comfort, allowing visitors to explore without inhibitions or seek information from a trusted source if necessary. In providing for the general safety and security of visitors to Tobago, officers of the TOPS routinely visit hotels including guest houses, villas and apartment buildings to ensure operators are observing, “best practice”, in terms of security; and to ensure proper lighting systems and other security measures are in place. Safety brochures such as that titled “Keeping You Safe in Tobago” are supplied to the management of these establishments for distribution to guests as reinforcement of the message of safety. Trinidad andTobago Chamber of Commerce Link: http://chamber.org.tt/articles/tobagos-tourism/ 29

escribing the day's event as a commitment best approach to dealing with crime in Trinidad and fulfilled, Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Tobago. Williams, presided over the single largest In his address, Mr. Williams questioned the role of the promotion in the Trinidad and Tobago Police family, religious groups, schools, community and stateService when 611 officers were elevated to the rank of institutions in maintaining and contributing to socialcorporal during a ceremony at the Police Academy, St control.James onWednesday 25th May, 2016.Of those promoted The Commissioner also expressed concern that as a112 were women. society ‘we are not focused on the joint responsibility of theCommissioner Williams explained that it was ‘a great broad state’ but rather exclusively on the police forday' for him as he had committed that promotion bringing about social control.exercises to the ranks of corporal and sergeant would be Mr. Williams noted that the full responsibility for socialcarried out in 2016. control, in Trinidad and Tobago, is too heavy a role for theHe thanked ACP Administration (Ag.), Sharon Police Service to bear alone. Notwithstanding thisBlake-Clarke, Snr. Supt. (Ag.) Human Resource, Pamela dilemma, Commissioner Williams rallied officers toSchullera-Hinds, and consultant, Joanne continue to do all that is possible to make a positiveWoodruffe-King, for their role in the promotion process. difference in the lives of citizens and encouraged them toCommissioner Williams used the occasion to call for play an active role in the Police Youth Clubs where they‘social control’ which is defined by Karl Mannheim, live.renowned sociologist, as the sum of those methods bywhich a society tries to influence human behavior tomaintain a given order. He argued that he saw this as theSociologyGuide Link: http://www.sociologyguide.com/social-control/meaning-of-social-control.php 30

he Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Dr. Simon Alexis, Police Academy, has been in existence Provost, Police Academy since the latter part of the 19th Century. The years of experience inconducting training at the Academy has laid thefoundation for the robust recruiting processenshrined in the laws of Trinidad and Tobago. Theacademy has a wide array of training courses designedto instil honour, high moral values and personalintegrity in police officers. These officers are expected toapproach each community and assist them with theirpersonal problem combined with the ability to beemotionally flexible such that they can easily adapt tovarious community cultures, whilst bringing peace andstability to a given situation.The Police Academy then the St James Barracks was rebuilt in 1876and has its existence as a police training entity in the 1890s. The needto have a safe and secured society is fundamental to contemporary living.All facets of society depend on policing to supply them with effective security. The extent to which members of communitiesshould receive this service is indeed absolute. It must be noted that those who perpetrate the most heinous crimes are expected,and entitled to high levels of security. This brings to the fore the extensive and critical roles that police officers are entrusted toperform.The Police Academy has been preparing police officers for the world of work to deal with all possible eventualities that impactsafety and security of not just people but all living organisms that come within their purview. The journey of posting a policeofficer to perform in a Trinidad and Tobago landscape begins with the selection process. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Servicerecruiting process is well founded on the Laws ofTrinidad andTobago which specifically outlines the required criteria. 31

TTPS recruiting and selectionprocess is a robust one. The polygraphexamination is an integrity probing component requirement.This does not exist in Hong Kong police, Police Scotland orLAPD recruiting processes.In summarizing this requirement a police candidate is need for sustaining, at all times, values of personal integrity,expected to be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, be within 18 honesty, and good conduct. Through the support of theto 35 years of age, the holder of five (5) CXC or GCE subjects, Professional Standards Bureau, of the Trinidad and TobagoEnglish being mandatory, or possess the equivalent of such Police Service, lectures ranging from preventative toqualifications. The candidate must be the holder of a valid prosecution strategies are conducted for inductees duringDriver’s Permit with a minimum of a class 3 endorsement, and their training programme. A member from the judicialbe at least 167 cm tall as a male and 150 cm tall as a female. system (magistrate/judge) is used as a motivator to inducteesThe passing of medical, physical and academic examinations at their swearing-in ceremony to further support the need tois mandatory, so too is successful completion of psychological maintain integrity in public and private life.and polygraph tests. In addition to these requirements there Today, globally, police officers are increasingly encounteringare background investigations and an interview. situations that demand the use of tact and cordial policing toThe Police Academy recruiting and selection process is a perpetrator interaction. The right for an aggressive offenderrobust one. The polygraph examination is an integrity probing to be given the highest degree of caring professionalismcomponent requirement. This does not exist in Hong Kong requires officers to be appropriately exposed to adequatepolice, Police Scotland or LAPD recruiting processes. training. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, PoliceHowever, from time to time members of the national Academy, provides behavioural courses facilitated bycommunity have expressed concern about the quality of university graduates that target and prepare officers topolice officers who supply service to them. The Police manage their emotions whilst engaging such offenders.Academy has been delivering to candidates an induction Additionally these graduates aid the Police Academy intraining programme designed to harness a cross-section of preparing officers for socioeconomic and cultural diversity.disciplines, packaging them to bring about a well-rounded Enhanced technology has made the world a global villagepolice officer. where people from different backgrounds easily meet.TheseAn important area of focus is to inculcate in inductees the persons should be afforded customer friendly service. 32

Whilst trainee police officers are pursuing members of the community the main focus.Social integration is an important part oftraining to become full-fledged police the induction programme at the academy which is designed to generate closerofficers they assist the Guard and interaction with police officers and their communities. Each cohort of traineesEmergency Branch of the police service pursuing training at the academy is afforded the choice of assisting an organization inwith crowd control training for their need with tangible support that demonstrates caring for humanity such asofficers. This training is conducted by refurbishing equipment or buildings. Operationalisation of that service to those inpolice officers on horseback need has been indeed a worthy experience that has brought joy not just to those inintermingling through scores of trainees need but to the trainees and their families.dressed in carnival costumes andaccompanied by loud music that seeks to Ottley 1972, pp. 96 to 98.replicate on the road carnival activities. Regulation 3 of the Police Service Act Chapter 15:01.The unique mode of cultural Hong Kong Police Constable Academic Requirements link http://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/15_recruit/er.htmlacclimatisation and team training helps Scotland Police recruiting link http://www.scotland.police.uk/recruitment/police-officers/selection-process/the mounted police officers and their Los Angeles Police Department recruiting link http://www.joinlapd.com/qualifications.htmlhorses to be prepared for maintaining Police Horse Care 2012 activities link https://www.facebook.com/Police-Mounted-Branch-232622026750459/crowd control of thousands of citizensand visitors during the Trinidad andTobago carnival celebrations. Thistraining also fosters team working skillsamong trainees, and other participatingsections of the police service engaged inthe event.In addition to passing examinations andbeing involved in simulated activities,police trainees are also equipped to becommunity socialisers where they make 33

Brent Batson Road Safety Co-ordinator Honourable Orville London, Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, peers through a speed measuring device at an iRoadsafe event inTobago.Legal Limit for Driving Under the InfluenceAccording to Section 70A(1) of the MotorVehicles and RoadTraffic Act Chapter 48:50 a person commits an offence ‘by driving,attempting to drive or being in charge of a motor vehicle with a breath alcohol level over the prescribed legal limit of 35micro-grammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath’.A person found guilty of this offence can face a fine of up to $12,000 or 3 years imprisonment on a first conviction, $22,500or 5 years on a second conviction and $22,500, 5 years imprisonment plus permanent driving disqualification upon a thirdconviction. These high fines and penalties reflect the seriousness with which society now views drunk driving as a threat 34

to public safety. Drivers need to take heed of the importance The DUITask Force has also gained the respect of the Magistracyof monitoring their alcohol consumption or even better, with many officers of the court issuing commendations todesignating a driver or calling a friend or a taxi if they have officers for their persistence and professionalism, especially inconsumed too much alcohol. the area of court attendance.DUI Task Force - “Over the Limit Under Arrest” DUI Arrests SkyrocketOne of the successful strategies of the Trinidad and Tobago In 2015, over 2,700 drivers were arrested and charged for DUIPolice Service to reduce the risk of alcohol impaired driving on offences by theTTPS increasing the total number of DUI arreststhe roadways was the operationalization of a DUI Task Force, by an impressive 275% over 2014 (731).TheTraffic and Highwayout of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch. The unit Patrol Branch DUI Task Force accounted for over 40% (1163) ofcomprises 30 specially trained officers who are certified Breath the national DUI arrest figures.AlcoholTechnicians who are deployed especially on weekends. Voluntary BreathTesting Initiative 2011-2015 DUI ARRESTS 2011 2012 In 2015, one of the innovative strategies employed by the TTPS3500 2744 2013 to help reduce the risk of alcohol impaired driving on the roads2500 2014 was to set up Voluntary BreathTesting (VBT) stations at popular2000 2015 parties, fetes and clubs where patrons were invited to take a1500 breath test before departing the event or venue.The goal was to1000 761 706 706 731 afford patrons the opportunity to check their breath alcohol levels before heading to their vehicle to ensure they were within 500 the legal limit of 35 microgrammes and if found over, then 0 officers would have strongly recommended that they stay at the 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 venue until their levels subsided to below the legal limit or call a friend or taxi.Deputy Mayor of San Fernando Councillor, Junia Regrello,goes through a breath alcohol test at an iRoadsafe event, at Harris Promenade,San Fernando. 35

Brionne AntoineCrime Analyst, Crime andProblem Analysis BranchIntroduction the relevant resources. Given the wide array of complexThe use of crime statistics in policing to combat crime is services the TTPS is required to provide to the public,certainly not a new idea. As early as the 1960s, police crime statistics and data analysis are the main driversdepartments around the world have taken advantage behind setting top priorities and strategic goals in aof crime statistics in developing crime fighting manner that is consistent and objective.techniques and strategies. However, with the Predictive Policingchanging and increasing demands on police According to the National Institute of Justice (2014),departments regarding crime, public safety and “predictive policing tries to harness the power ofthe multitude of surrounding issues as well as information, geospatial technologies and evidence-basedfinite police resources, it has called for a more intervention models to reduce crime and improve publicsystematic approach.Thus, crime statistics, safety. This two-pronged approach — applying advancedas well as the tools used to analyse them, analytics to various data sets, in conjunction withplay an even more critical role. For the intervention models — can move law enforcement fromTrinidad and Tobago Police Service reacting to crimes into the realm of predicting what and(TTPS),the same holds true, where something is likely to happen and deploying resourcesespecially in light of the multiplicity accordingly.” Crime statistics speak directly to the first partof challenges faced with regard to of the two-pronged approach – advanced analysis of datacrime and violence inTrinidad and sets. Crime data is essentially the foundation of thisTobago. The following article approach as it provides the information needed to conductseeks to discuss the crucial analyses about likely crime events, trends and patterns asrole that crime statisticsplay in the crime-fightingstrategies of theTTPS.Crime figures: First Step in Setting PrioritiesKnowledge of crime data is an essential requisite for theeffective prioritizing and allocation of police resources inthe TTPS. Prior to the consistent usage of crime statistics,there was an inclination to establish strategies based onimmediate or current events. This “snapshot” approachlimited the ability to be aware of wider crime trends andpatterns at the district and divisional levels. With theadvent of the Records Management System (RMS) in1999, the TTPS was capable of capturing and storinghigher quality crime data, which provided police officerswith a more comprehensive overview of reported crimes.In 2007, the Crime and Problem Analysis Branch (CAPA)was established, which in addition to the Compstat(comparative statistics) process, enhanced the TTPScapabilities to effectively analyse crime trends andpatterns. Police officers were now able to examine crimedata at the district, divisional and national levels in orderto determine high-priority events. Thus, the focus on usingdata and analysis assisted police officers in identifyingconcentrations of crime, prioritizing them and allocating 36

well as informing crime prevention actions. Such predictions Building and Enhancing Public Safety and Trustcan focus on a number of variables; offenders, victims, One of the primary responsibilities of the TTPS is togeographic locations or crime events. In any case, this process ensure the safety of the citizens, which can be achieved towould allow for the strategic and efficient deployment of a great extent through crime statistics. Crime figures playresources by the TTPS in its crime fighting efforts. For a dual role in this regard. In the first instance, knowledgeexample, predictive analysis using crime data about a specific of crime figures can help citizens make informed decisionstype of serious crime from a station district may suggest the about their personal safety; places, situations andincreased likelihood of these events occurring on a particular potential that may increase the chances of victimization.day and within a particular time frame. Therefore, patrols can From a theoretical perspective, crime statistics canbe proactively dispatched to prevent these incidents from disrupt the crime triangle – which posits that crime occurshappening. Moving from a reactive position to a more when potential offenders and suitable targets comeproactive one can significantly contribute to the reduction of together in space and time, in the absence of a capablecrime, which is one of the strategic goals of theTTPS.Without guardian. Suitable targets can refer to individuals orhigh quality crime statistics and analysis, achieving this goal property, such as homes and cars. Being cognizant ofwould be impossible. crime rates can make targets less susceptible to potential offenders through target hardening, change in behaviour or other precautionary measures. This is especially important at the individual level to inculcate a sense of personal responsibility that works to prevent crime. The second point is closely related to the first as the regular communication of crime statistics, as well as efforts aimed at reducing crime, can result in theTTPS being perceived as more transparent and accountable. This may, in turn, improve the relationship between police officers and the public through increased trust, and cooperation which would enhance police legitimacy. Given that one of the strategic goals of the TTPS is improving the level of citizen-centred service, greater and more positive engagement of the wider community and building relationships based on trust is an essential part of this process. Crime Statistics in Action One recent example of crime statistics being used directly to reduce crime was in the case of a sexual offender in the Port-of-Spain Division. Between September 2014 and September 2015, there were several reports of adolescent boys being taken to abandoned or lonely locations, robbed and sexually assaulted. The nature and relative prevalence of these incidents were of great concern, making them a top priority for police officers. Investigators analysed crime data as well as employed temporal analysis, spatial analysis and criminal profiling for each of these cases. The resulting information strongly suggested that one offender was likely to be responsible for the multiple offences. Further work involving these methods led to one man being arrested and charged for 26 offences emanating from the incidents. Crime statistics played an integral part in the apprehension of this dangerous and prolific offender as it facilitated more advanced analyses to uncover hidden patterns among several incidents. Crime statistics are not simply figures, maps and charts but are the foundation of crime control strategies used by the TTPS. 37

David RileyCorporate Communications Officer ommissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Williams, in Marlena James, a 12-year-old schoolgirl who was featured on the keeping with the philosophy that community Help Find Me Campaign via the TTPs’ official Twitter account on engagement is an essential and necessary requirement February 29th, 2016, was found and subsequently returned on March to solving and reducing crime, launched the Trinidad 2nd 2016and Tobago Police Service, ‘Help Solve Crime’ initiative, onDecember 23rd, 2015.The HelpSolveCrime public engagementcampaign is aimed at encouraging greater collaboration fromcitizens in finding solutions to the country’s crime problem, inparticular murders and missing person reports. The campaignhas two sub-components - HelpSolve My Murder and Help FindMe. The initiative was effectively rolled out on January 7th,2016: firstly, on local television and social media via theTrinidadand Tobago Police Service’s Facebook and Twitter accounts,then, through the use of indoor and outdoor digital screensacross the country on February 2nd, 2016. 38

Within the first few months of the initiative, there was a Plan is 30%. It is hoped that the Help Solve Crime initiative will100% success rate in missing person reports involving serve to sensitise and create awareness among members of thechildren where the report was made to the police within public about the role they can play in creating a safer society.The48-hours of the child being discovered missing. Help SolveCrime campaign will also impact cold cases as well.In the case of unsolved murders, there has been minimalsuccess but this is expected to improve as members of the “We believe that with the public’s help and co-operation, in beingpublic become increasingly aware of their social our eyes and ears, collectively we will improve the detection rateresponsibility to contribute to a saferTrinidad andTobago. for serious crimes and moreso murders ... thus allowing aMarlena James, a 12-year-old schoolgirl who was featured measure of closure for relatives.TheTTPS views the Help Solveon the Help Find Me Campaign via the the TTPs’ official Crime campaign as a police/public partnership which must beTwitter account on February 29th, 2016, was found and sustained and supported for the good of everyone.Tell us whatsubsequently returned on March 2nd 2016. you know. Help us solve crime and makeTrinidad andTobago aA distinctly visual campaign, Help Solve Crime appeals to safer place for everybody,” pleaded Ms. Lewis at the launch ofone’s emotion and an individual’s sense of social the campaign in December, 2015.responsibility and moral and nationalistic duty to help oncein a position to do so. Through public service messages Commissioner Williams stressed that ‘Help Solve Crime’ is onedisplaying information and pictures of missing persons and initiative which will impress upon the public the need forvictims of murder, the campaign has sought to re-humanize community/police partnership in solving crime.”the tragedy of loss which, though unmistakably felt byvictims’ families and communities, has been increasingly The Help Solve Crime campaign is wholly dependent for itsburied and desensitized under the weight of repetitious success on the goodwill and corporate spiritedness of thenews headlines and nameless crime statistics. Trinidad and Tobago media and that of digital billboardThe Help Solve Crime public engagement initiative was operators. Local media and digital billboard owners/operators,conceptualised by Head – Corporate Communications, Ellen from the inception of the programme, have acted as an equalLewis, and provides strategic communication support to partner in efforts by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service toone of the key goals of the Trinidad and Tobago gain the support and trust of the public in dealing with thePoliceService, to reduce and detect crime. The target problem of crime in the country.detection rate for serious crime based on the 2016 Operating Through the regular dissemination of the Help Solve Crime messages on television, print media, billboards, and on social media platforms, the campaign has become ubiquitous and entrenched in the national consciousness, allowing theTTPS to yield the desired result of engagement and awareness. A full list of the companies and media organisations that have supported and continue to support the TTPS Help Solve Crime campaign is as follows: Billboard Operators 1) Yes SOS Help Limited 2) 2000 Digital Advertising Limited 3) Nexus Advertising 4) Enman Group/CarinTelevision 5) Adnet Limited 6) Digital BroadcastTechnology 7) Sotal/ Lollabee Group 8) Pearl and Dean Caribbean Limited 9) Apex Advertising 10) The Creation Group Media Organisations 1) Trinidad andTobago Newsday 2) Government Information Services Limited 3) TV6 4) Gayelle Limited 5) CNC3 6) TV Jaagriti 7) Synergy 8) Islamic Broadcasting Network 9) CTV 10) Trinity Communications Network 11) Tobago Channel 5 39

Dr. Simon Alexis,Provost, Police AcademyUnited States of America Ambassador to the Republic ofTrinidad andTobago, John L. Estrada(left) and Dr. Simon Alexis, Provost Police Academy (right) and a participant in the InstructorDevelopment Course, Inspector. (Ag. ) Dale Arrindell, which was facilitated by the US Embassy. heTrinidad andTobago Police Service, PoliceAcademy, of the Police Academy relevant, not just locally, but regionally, is closely associated with local and international tertiary where the crime situation and experiences are similar. The core institutions and law enforcement agencies. Training at roles of the Police Academy are to supply high quality law the academy has the approval of the regionally enforcement training to candidates qualified to receive a 24-28 recognised education entity; the National Training week police residential induction training programme, and toAgency. Candidates are expected to acquire various skills, upgrade the policing skills of serving police officers and their lawinclusive of peer counselling training. Major criminal enforcement stakeholders locally and regionally. Regionalinvestigative techniques are delivered through many courses stakeholders belonging to CARICOM are afforded access to thelike transnational crimes and trafficking in persons, awareness services offered by the academy.training. The Police Academy has also forged ahead and built relationshipsThe PoliceAcademy has observed the mandate in its vision ‘to with local and international tertiary institutions. The Academybe the academy of excellence in law enforcement education and has adopted the whole-of-law enforcement approach andtraining locally and regionally.’ The global requirements utilised qualified resource facilitators throughout the local lawstandard for law enforcement have spanned beyond states. enforcement landscape. There are courses that cover fields ofNo longer is policing training restricted to single state study in which the expertise reside outside the Trinidad andagendas. Challenges brought about by crimes are widely Tobago Police Service. Such expertise is often easily sourced. Insimilar in most countries of the world. This has made the role the local realm, the academy has signed Memoranda of 40

Understanding with the University of Trinidad and Tobago investigation based on the best tested applications.Candidates are(UTT) and the College of Science, Technology and Applied taught various aspects of obtaining, analysing and disseminatingArts ofTrinidad andTobago (COSTAATT). strategic and tactical information used to successfully investigateSolid partnerships have been formed by the PoliceAcademy such criminal activities.with experienced international law enforcement entities.The An important course of training that is gaining acceptance is that ofUnited States for many years and ongoing has been very peer counselling. Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Williams,generous and delivered several training courses at the has directed that an adequate number of police officers beacademy. Another supporter of training courses is the afforded this training. Peer counselling is seen as filling a gap withinOrganization of American States. So too are the Canadian, the police service to aid in firstly addressing internal conflictGerman and Indian governments; all have been sponsoring resolution. Trained peer counsellors are equipped with thetraining opportunities to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. In necessary skills to analyse and be involved in effective consultationthe international tertiary environment,CambridgeUniversity and communication for managing on the job and communityhas been delivering criminology training at the master’s level conflicts.Thisacquiredskillwouldalsogoalongway in dealing withtogether with evidence-based policing under the domestic violence situations that have increasingly been engagingprofessional guidance of Director, Professor Lawrence police investigators. In brief peer counselling training explores aSherman. range of common psychological health and wellness issues officersThe PoliceAcademy has several catalogues of courses to suit are likely to encounter.the needs of its law enforcement stakeholders who pursuetraining. Whilst at this time the Academy does not offertertiary level certified programmes, this area is beingvigorously pursued.OnJanuary 16, 2015, the PoliceAcademyacquired the status of being an approved National TrainingAgency (NTA) Work Force Centre capable of issuing twocategories of vocation qualifications; CVQ - CaribbeanVocational Qualification and the TTNVQ - Trinidad andTobago NationalVocationalQualification.Candidates attending training at the Police Academy can beexpected to acquire various competencies that would enablethem to be better prepared to engage challenges posed byenterprising criminal minds. The Academy cadre of lawenforcement practitioners and trained facilitators areendowed with, and deliver to candidates, information thatwould enhance their ability to critically think and solveproblems they may encounter during their performance onthe job.An increase in transnational crimes throughout the globe hasmade the need to have world states aware and prepared tomanage these challenges. Terrorism has forced a worldresponse to it, by placing many countries on alert about itsdangers and expansion. Trafficking in persons, illegal drugactivities, moneylaundering and terrorist financing are allcrimes that affect most of the world today. All the areas ofcrimes mentioned are closely linked by intelligence.One area of focus brought to the fore by the media sometime ago is trafficking in persons. Anti-trafficking trainingprepares the officer to identify the unique dynamics ofhuman trafficking. An important objective of the training is toprovide the knowledge and skills essential to assist victims ofhuman trafficking and articulate real reaction andCARICOM community link http://www.caricom.org/jsp/community/member_states.jsp?menu=communityOne of the United States sections that supplies training. (The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL))link http://www.state.gov/j/inl/Institute of Criminology, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DA link http://www.crim.cam.ac.uk/The Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) is an award that represents achievement of a set of competencies which define core work practices of an occupational area, consistent with the levels articulated within theRegional Qualifications Framework. Link http://www.ntatt.org/TTNVQs will equip our workforce with the skills needed to meet the performance requirements of industry, in a competitive global market. http://www.ntatt.org/ 41

No14036 Sgt. Bryon Daniel n July 15th, 2011, the Professional Standards Bureau Police behavior that should be subject to citizen complaints (PSB) was established in the Trinidad and Tobago include, but is not limited to corruption such as larceny, bribery, Police Service (TTPS) with responsibility for ensuring corruptly soliciting and corruptly receiving. It also includes other the integrity, transparency and efficiency of all possible criminal acts such as murder, grievous bodily harm,investigations, including criminal complaints made against kidnapping and false imprisonment.police officers of theTTPS. Reports to the PSB can be made in person to the main officeThe professionalism of the Police Service is reflected by the located at MATCO Building, Henry Street, Port-of-Spain orcompetence, integrity and pride of its members. Situations, through any of the nine police divisions throughoutTrinidad andhowever, do arise when individuals tarnish the positive image of Tobago. Also written correspondence on such matters can beall members through isolated incidents. In such cases, the role of addressed to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Professionalthe PSB is two-fold: Standards Bureau, will be accepted. Complaints against police • To ensure/restore public confidence in the organization; officers that are reported on in the media are also investigated by and the PSB. • To provide specific and general deterrents to negative These complaints are thoroughly investigated and then a report is actions and behaviours prepared, which includes information contained in theThe PSB is also involved in the regular review of operations in statements from the complainant, the accused, and anyorder to ensure a high standard of performance. witnesses.Since its inception, the functions of the PSB over the years have The completed investigative report also includes a narrativeexpanded to include the effective monitoring of police shootings summary of the events and a finding of facts as determined bythroughout Trinidad and Tobago. In embracing this new the evidence, including the statements of those involved. Theundertaking, the need for proper guidance and mentoring when report is submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions toit comes to an efficient and thorough process has been review for completeness, objectivity and evaluation. If thehighlighted.The PSB has developed an easy to follow check list Director of Public Prosecutions has reason to believe that thereto help guide the investigators through a police shooting was misconduct or corruption on the part of the officer, he shallenquiry.This has led to a significant reduction in the back log and take whatever action he deems necessary.slow pace of such investigations. It provides the investigators One such case was a landmark investigation which emanatedwith the assurance and confidence required to have their from public outcry regarding the shooting death of Abigailinvestigation stand the test of public scrutiny. Johnson, Kerron Eccles and Alana Duncan at the hands ofPSB is responsible for conducting regular outreach exercises members of the Southern Division Robbery Squad on July 22nd,through its Police Education Caravan. This initiative was borne 2011, in Moruga.out of a need to educate officers on the role and function of the This was the first real challenge undertaken by the newly formedPSB and to debunk the misconception that its sole mandate is PSB which had to employ sophisticated techniques and conductthe investigation of errant officers but rather to explain the painstaking enquiries in order to build a case to submit to thebroad objective which is to mentor and rehabilitate officers who Director of Public Prosecutions, RogerGaspard.may be susceptible or vulnerable to unacceptable behaviours In the end, the Director of Public Prosecution commended theand conduct. The Police Education Caravan was met with PSB for the quality of work done, and opted to prosecute thesuccess particular among the young and inexperienced officers matter himself, which resulted in all six accused being committedi.e., trainees, junior officers and officers with domestic, financial to stand trial on 18 counts of murder. Each officer faced threeand other social related problems. To date, the PSB has counts of murder.conducted caravans in every police division and is expected tolaunch similarly designed caravans for the branches. 42

MEDIATION- A Solution to Settling Complaints?Mediation is a process for settling disputes based A recent report on victim-offender mediationon the voluntary participation of the disputing programs explains that under mediation “the issueparties. It emphasizes dialogue between the of guilt or innocence is not mediated” (Umbreit andparties and is a safe environment where the Greenwood 2000). The point is to buildparties can meet and air their views about the understanding between the two parties involved.events or issues that created the dispute. The Mediation can be considered a form of problemprocess is intended to develop mutual solving, similar in orientation to other innovativeunderstanding between the conflicting parties. police problem-solving programs (Bayley 1994).Finally, mediation gives the participants control Problem solving through mediation involvesover the final resolution of the problem (Folberg identifying the factors that led to the complaint inandTaylor 1984). the first place. These factors might include misunderstanding, failure to communicate, orA neutral third party, who is a trained professional inappropriate behavior.mediator, facilitates the mediation process. The Snr. Supt. (Ag.) Mc Donald Jacobmediator does not try to influence or pressure POTENTIAL BENEFITSOF MEDIATIONeither party to reach an agreement or resolve the MPhil Criminology & Mediation of citizens’ complaints against policedispute in any particular way. The disputing Criminal Justice officers and police officers’ complaints againstparties own the process. Mediation is a police officers presents numerous potential benefitsconfidential process. Statements made by any of University of the West Indies for police officers’ relationship, citizens’ complaints,the parties may not be subsequently used in a Bachelor of Law (LLB) University of London Post Graduate Diploma in Mediation Studies University of the West Indiesformal legal proceeding. police accountability, community policing, the complaint process itself, and the police tribunalThe basic goals of mediation differ from those of traditional, system.formal, and legalistic dispute resolution procedures, includingtraditional procedures for resolving citizens’ complaints. Benefits for PoliceOfficersTraditional dispute resolution focuses on factfinding, pinpointing 1. Better understanding of interactions with citizensresponsibility, determining guilt or innocence, and punishing 2. Opportunity to explain actions to citizens.those found guilty. Traditional citizens’ complaint review 3. Greater satisfaction with complaint process.procedures, for example, focus on determining whether or 4. Empowerment.not the officer committed the alleged misconduct. In 5. Chance to learn from mistakes.contrast, mediation focuses on understanding, problem 6. Development of a better relationship betweensolving, and reconciliation. Experts on citizen complaints officers.against police believe that many formal complaints, and otherproblems stemming from police-citizen interactors, are largely Benefits forCitizenComplainantsthe result of misunderstanding or miscommunication. 1. Greater opportunity to meet goals. 43

2. Greater satisfaction with complaint process. officers preferentially and are tough on “less popular” officers 3. Better understanding of policing. (Mulcahy 1995;Chemerinsky 2000). 4. Empowerment. EmpowermentBenefits for PoliceAccountability Experts in mediation believe that it empowers each of the parties 1. Greater responsibility for one’s actions. involved by providing a “safe place,” protected by rules of 2. Positive changes in police subculture. confidentiality, where they can freely express their feelings and opinions. In this setting, mediation empowers police officers byBenefits forCommunity Policing allowing them to take an active role in shaping the settlement of 1. Goals consistent with those of community policing. the complaint. By agreeing to participate in mediation, listening, 2. Problem-solving process. expressing their own views about the events in question, and 3. An opportunity for dialogue. proposing the terms of a final agreement, officers are empowered to take responsibility for resolving the problem.Benefits forComplaint Process 1. More efficient complaint processing. In traditional complaint procedures, which are based on a 2. Cost savings. criminal trial model with an emphasis on determining guilt, 3. Higher success rate. officers are reluctant to say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. This includes saying they are sorry.BENEFITS FOR POLICEOFFICERS Traditional processes disempower officers by rendering themPotential benefits for mediation police officers include enhanced passive subjects of investigation rather than active participants inunderstanding of interactions with citizens, the opportunity to resolving the underlying dispute. Mediation, however, creates anexplain their action to citizens, enhanced satisfaction with the opportunity for self-expression and participation (Schwerincomplaint process, empowerment, and the opportunity to learn 1995).from their mistakes. AChance to Learn From MistakesBetter Understanding of Interactions withCitizens Existing mediation programs offer a tangible benefit to policeMediation can enhance police officers’ understanding of officers who choose to participate. If mediation is successful, theinteraction with citizens. This benefit is a direct consequence of complaint does not appear on the officer’s personnel record. Inthe face to face aspect of mediation. Traditional complaint effect, mediation functions as a diversion program, analogous toinvestigation procedures do not involve a face-to-face meeting diversion programs in the criminal process (Nimmer 1974). Likebetween complainant and police officer, thus offering no traditional diversion programs, mediation gives officers a chanceopportunity for the officer to hear the complainant’s side of the to learn from whatever mistakes they made and move forward instory and gain perspective on how his or her actions affected the their careers.complainant. In traditional citizen complaint review proceduresthe complainant and the officer never meet face-to-face, and as BENEFTISOF POLICEACCOUNTABILITYa consequence there is no opportunity for dialogue andunderstanding (Walker 2001). Greater responsibility forOne’sActions Mediation introduces a new dimension to police accountability.Opportunity to ExplainActions toCitizens In traditional complaint procedures, an officer accused ofMediation provides police officers with an opportunity to explain misconduct is directly accountable only to other police officers:what they did and why. In the traditional complaint review internal affairs investigators, the immediate supervisor, and, inprocess, officers are required to explain themselves to some instances, the chief of police (Walker 2001). The officerinvestigators – from either internal affairs or a citizen oversight never has to directly face or account to the citizen who has filedagency – but they have no opportunity to talk directly to the the complaint. In contrast, an officer participating in mediation iscomplainant. directly accountable to the citizen who has filed the complaint.Police officers regard themselves as professionals who take pride PositiveChanges in Police Subculturein their work; They do not believe they did anything wrong in Mediation may also enhance police accountability by having amost complaint incidents. long-term effect on the police subculture.The police subculture is characterized by an “us versus them” perspective that viewsGreater Satisfaction with theComplaint Process citizens in a hostile light. It’s most serious manifestation is theTraditional complaint investigation procedures often fail to “code of silence,” by which officers refuse to report misconductsatisfy officers or citizen complainants. Research shows that by other officers (Skolnick 1994;Westley 1970).This characteristicrank-and-file police officers are alienated from their own internal of the police subculture works against building or maintaining aaffairs units. Publicly, they vigorously oppose external citizen respectful, trusting relationship with citizens and other policeoversight; privately, they oppose oversight by internal affairs as officers. Therefore, only major changes would motivate policewell. Internal affairs investigators are widely regarded as officers to become more receptive to informal dispute resolution“headhunters” out to get officers. In many departments, officers techniques such as mediation. Because of the face-to-faceperceive them to be biased investigators who treat favored aspect of mediation, the experience of having to account for 44



one’s actions affect people, thus process seriously. In this scenario, the citizen would entermediation may eventually have an effect mediation without the good faith that all mediators and policeon the police subculture. officials interviewed for the report will consider it important. Experienced police mediators argue that mediation does notKEY ISSUES IN MEDIATION undermine formal discipline because few if any of the complaint cases referred for mediation (assuming a properly designedVoluntary Participation program) are likely to be sustained in the first place.Voluntary participation is essential to the Investigations of police misconduct complaints have limitedmediation process. Law professor efficacy in some types of cases, particularly those that areKimberlee Kovach, one of the lleading one-on-one and discourtesy/attitude-based cases.The majorityexperts inAlternative Dispute Resolution, of such cases result in a finding of “not sustained” (Attard 1999).characterizes self-determination and Complaints not sustained result in no discipline of the officerfreedom of choice as “the bedrock of the and, in fact, tend to leave both the complainant and the officermediation process” (Kovach 1997). feeling angry. In so far as mediation results in a dialogue or better understanding between the parties, some positive result isRealistically, however, participation in achieved.mediation is more voluntary for the Several mediators and police officials suggest that the disputingcitizen complainant than for the police parties be informed of the potential outcomes before theyofficer.The complainant can choose not participate in mediation. This action could eliminate anyto file a complaint at all, to withdraw a misconceptions that community groups or citizens have aboutcomplaint at any time, and to terminate the mediation process. A complainant who really wants thea mediation process. However, if an officers punished can then decline to mediate.officer declines to mediate the complaintor withdraws from the process, thecomplaint will be investigated in thetraditional manner, and the complaintwill appear on his or her official record. Inshort, the officer cannot make thecomplaint disappear completely.Seriousness ofAllegationsExperienced complaint mediation officials generally agreethat use-of-force allegations should be ineligible formediation. Police officials support this position.They support the policy that complaints involving use of forceand threats to use force should not be mediated. Based onconversations with experienced mediators, they do notendorse the mediation of complaints involving threats bypolice officers. People in the mediation field agree that nocomplaint involving potential criminal charges against theofficer should be eligible for mediation.POLICE DISCIPLINEANDACCOUNTABILITYA major issue in the mediation of citizen complaints is whetherit undermines police discipline. Some communityactivists fear that mediation will allow an officer to “beatthe rap.” As already noted, mediation functions in effectas a diversion program: no formal departmentaldiscipline can be imposed if the officer successfullymediates the complaint, and no record of the complaintappears in his or her disciplinary file. Therefore, someconsider mediation a threat to police accountability.They fear that citizens will view mediation as a “slap onthe wrist” for police officers, who might not take the 46

It was a clean sweep for former Head of the Northern Division, Snr. Supt., David Abraham (currently on leave prior to retirement), who came away with the lion’s share of the accolades and awards, at the 2015 Performance Awardsheld by theTrinidad andTobago Police Service on Monday 22ndFebruary, 2016, at the Police Academy, St James.The awards, in its second year of existence, is another way theCommissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Williams, takes pride inrecognising the contributions of the officers under his charge inthe Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

On behalf of officers of the Northern Division, Snr. Supt. The division taking the award for the highest detectionAbraham received awards in the following categories: rate for serious crimes, second year running; was thestation recording the highest percentage reduction in Eastern Division under Snr. Supt. (Ag.), John Trim; forserious crimes among ‘high crime stations’ which went to reduction in homicides Western Division, Snr. Supt. (Ag.),the Arima Police Station; station recording the highest Zamsheed Mohammed, and for hotspot patrols whichpercentage reduction in serious crimes among ‘low crime went to the Southern Division, led by Snr. Supt. Irwinstations’ taken by the Pinto Police Station; exceptional Hackshaw.performance in the reduction of serious crime at a Aside from the divisional awards, retired Deputydivisional level; exceptional performance in the seizure of Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Annmarie Alleyne-Daly, wasillegal firearms, 107, and exceptional reduction in fatal recognised for her unwavering commitment to theroad traffic accidents. development of women in the Trinidad and Tobago PoliceNorthern Division also copped the award for most Service. Snr. Supt. Johnnie Abraham, Snr. Supt. Davidoutstanding division overall in 2015 which they also earned Abraham and Supt. Kenrick Edwards were all recognisedthe previous year. for outstanding operational leadership in 2015.In addition to the awards, Northern Division received In 2015, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service recorded a$130,000.00 which will go into the division’s sport and 7.6% reduction in serious crimes from 12,057 in 2014 toentertainment fund which benefits all officers. 11,135.Commissioner of Police (Ag.),StephenWilliams, presents one of many awards toSnr.Supt. DavidAbraham. 48

It was a sea of smiling faces on Friday 22nd April, 2016, when is 7,884 regular officers.the Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Stephen Williams, presided In his address to officers, CommissionerWilliams encouragedover the single largest promotion of officers to the rank of them toleadbyexampleand to befair intheir assessment andsergeant in theTrinidad andTobago PoliceService. evaluation of the performance of officers, under theirFour hundred and sixty (460) officers comprising 71 female command, as this was important for the good of the serviceand 389 male officers were promoted to the rank of sergeant. and the nation.Topping the Merit List were first placed No. 12049Sgt. Francis He warned officers it would be ‘tough business’ to achieveChattie followed by No. 16241Sgt.Sophia Narine. the desired reduction in firearm related violence and anPreviously, the largest single promotion to sergeant was in increase in the detection rate but that it was highly ‘doable’2008 involving 235 officers with a further 162 byApril, 2010. given the fact they were able to drive down the rate of seriousIt is, noteworthy that the single largest promotion among all reported crimes to 11,135 in 2015, which represented a 33 yearranks was in May 2016, when 611 constables were made low.corporals. According to the Commissioner, whilst the police have beenThe actual strength of theTrinidad andTobago Police Service successful in removing 691 illegal firearms off the streets inas ofAugust 25th, 2016, stood at 6,723 of which 5,027 are men 2015 and 260 for 2016 thus far, the challenge was the country’sand 1,696 women. As is evident the service is quickly moving porous borders.towards a complement of 30% women officers. The He lamented that the police alone cannot win the battle to ridsanctioned strength of theTrinidad andTobago PoliceService the country of illegal firearms. 49