Homeland Security Minister: TTPS Has Systems In Place To Handle Lost Children At Events
4 hours ago
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander is reassuring citizens that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has established systems in place to handle cases of lost children at major public events, ensuring their safe return to their parents and guardians.
While the Minister reminded parents and guardians that it is their responsibility to ensure their children remain safe, he said the TTPS has an established operational policy and protocol governing incidents when children become separated from their parents or guardians at public events.
« These procedures are embedded in the Trinidad and Tobago Structured Operational Framework and are specifically incorporated into 1. The Public Order Policing Protocol, 2. Carnival and Major Events Operational Plans, 3. Divisional Operational Orders 4. Departmental Standing Orders, and 5. Child Protection Procedures including coordination with the Child Protection Unit and the relevant social services agency. »
Under the system, officers are required to respond immediately, notify supervisors, and initiate structured search procedures.
Minister Alexander said children are taken to secure locations and only released after a verification process confirms their parent or guardian.
« There is a verification system whereby persons must identify themselves as parent or guardian, before the child is handed over under any circumstances. »
The Minister also reported that during Carnival 2026, six children were separated from their guardians but were safely reunited with no injuries or trauma reported.
« All six children were subsequently located and safely reunited with their respective parents or lawful guardians. There were no outstanding cases arising from the Carnival 2026. The average time taken to effect reunification was approximately one hour from the time the report was formally received by the police. »
Minister Alexander assured that the TTPS maintains statistical records of the cases to allow proper monitoring and assessment of operational patterns.














