256 New Officers Join TTPS, Pledge To Rebuild Public Confidence
Several of the 256 new Police Service recruits believe the negative perception of the TTPS can be changed, and they are aiming towards that goal.
The recruits shared their thoughts with TTT News after Monday’s TTPS Passing-Out Parade, a traditional formal and ceremonial event that marks the graduation of new recruits.
One recruit, PC Shem-Eli Duncan, believes this is not an exercise in futility.
« It can be changed because not everyone would have the same mind as the others out there and I truly believe that it has a lot of us inside here and outside that want the change. It’s just to make the change going forward. »
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander urged the 256 recruits to “be courageous”, emphasising to them that the job of a police officer is a “thankless one” but one that the country needs.
« The threats we face as a nation ranges from violent crime, gun-related offences, home invasions, and the erosion of public trust. All those that I just mentioned became increasingly complex over the past 10 years. We, as a government and as a people, we cannot afford to become complacent. »
Another recruit, PC Rodney Beharry, hailed the Minister for his speech and the goal of regaining the public’s perception of the Police Service.
« He always influences the officers to do what is right for the public, and he emphasised that the public has a negative view of us right now, and I hope that my batch and the batches after me could help to rework that view of us. »
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, meanwhile, noted that recruitment within the Police Service is an ongoing process.
« Sanctioned strength of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is 7,884 officers. Right now we have over 5,600 operational officers. So recruitment always has to be going. As you recognise, we join the TTPS in batches. We tend to leave. Attrition rate is also in batches. So just as we recruit, people are leaving. People are falling sick. We have persons on vacation leave and all of that. So at any given time, we are always short. You’re welcome to join. »
And with the TTPS seeing increasing numbers of women, recruit WPC Fazia Mohammed encouraged those thinking about it to make the leap.
« Just be positive when joining the force. It’s a great experience. I hope to make a positive change to the service as well. »
The Passing-Out Parade witnessed the graduation of Batches 3 and 4 of 2024.
