# Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service or TTPS is the primary law enforcement agency of Trinidad and Tobago. It has been in operation for over 200 years.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is the national law enforcement agency of Trinidad and Tobago, responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting life and property, and preventing and detecting crime. Operating under the Police Service Act Chapter 15:01, the TTPS functions as both a civil and para-military body, structured into various divisions, branches, squads, and units deployed across the islands. Its mandate encompasses a broad range of duties, including enforcing laws, apprehending offenders, and ensuring public safety, with a focus on community policing initiatives and modernization efforts to combat contemporary crime trends. The TTPS works in conjunction with other law enforcement bodies, such as the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Municipal Police Service. Citizens utilize emergency numbers such as 911 and 999 to contact the Police Service.
The TTPS is under the Ministry of National Security, who provides governmental oversight and administrative support. The Minister of National Security is Fitzgerald Hinds with the assistance of Keith Scotland SC as Minister in the Ministry of National Security. Mr Scotland's post was announced at a post-Cabinet media briefing on July 25, 2024. The Prime Minister, said MP for Port of Spain South Keith Scotland will be responsible for police matters.
Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher was suspended by the Police Service Commission on January 31, 2025. DCP Junior Benjamin was confirmed by Parliament to act in the office of Commissioner of Police on February 5, 2025.

## History

In 1592 the Spaniards founded the first European settlement, Trinidad's capital town San Jose de Oruna (St Joseph). The Office of the Cabildo or Town Council controlled the Police Force. Duties were restricted to within town. The strength of the Police Force never exceeded six between 1592 and 1792.
After slavery was abolished in 1838, and over 22,000 men and women enjoyed their full civil rights, the responsibility of the police increased and a ‘rural system of police’ had to be established. By the end of 1842 there were twelve police stations and approximately one hundred officers comprising inspectors, sergeants and constables.
In the mid 19th century members of the Metropolitan Police were brought to Trinidad on secondment, thus the Police Force had a very mixed composition as far as racial strains were concerned. During this period the Police Headquarters was housed at the corner of Abercromby and Hart Streets.
The only weapon the policeman carried was his truncheon which was four feet long. Then violence would be met with violence, and a local tradition of the police "beating first and arresting after" was formed. The general pattern of law enforcement in the 1840s was, once arrested the police took the accused to the station or if he was recalcitrant, held him and sent to call the sergeant. All police stations were Courthouses as Magistrates travelled from one Police Station to another. This was until 1844 when trial by jury and the English statutes were introduced into Trinidad.
In 1851 the police was appointed the country's first postmen and mail carriers and the police stations were transformed into Post Offices. The Mounted Branch was established for this purpose. In 1860 the Police Force was relieved of some of these extracurricular duties.
In 1869 an ordinance was initiated for better organisation and discipline of the Police Force. With a more organised Police Force, greater police surveillance of residents was provided. The Police Headquarters at the corner of St. Vincent and Sackville Streets was completed in 1876 housing approximately four hundred and fifty–two (452) men. Over the years the strength increased and other units were established, such as Traffic Branch in 1930 and Special Branch in 1959.
By 1955 the need for policewomen to deal with juveniles and female offenders had long been overdue. Under Ordinance No. 6 of 195, twelve female officers were drafted into the Force.
A Commission of Enquiry was appointed by the government to probe the administration and discipline of the Police Service. In 1966 the then Governor General assented to the Police Service Act, which enacted the Police Service Regulation 1965. This Act divided the Service into two divisions - the first and second divisions. It also introduced a change from Police Force to Police Service. This change was not only in name but also in operation. The focus shifted from being a militaristic force to a service-oriented organization.
By the 1970s the Police Service had grown in strength to 3,399 members and was placed under the portfolio of the Ministry of National Security. Mr. Francis Eustace Bernard was the first local to be appointed Commissioner of Police in 1973.
In 1881 the Police Headquarters was destroyed by fire which was caused by the kerosene oil lighting system. The Police Headquarters was destroyed for a second time in 1990, this time during the attempted coup. A new Police Administration Building was constructed at the corner of Edward and Sackville Streets the following year housing Administrative offices.
During the past two decades the strength of the service has grown to 6436 officers with several new specialist Units being introduced.

## Commissioner of Police

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is led by the Commissioner of Police. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 123A "the Commissioner of Police shall have the complete power to manage the Police Service and is required to ensure that the human, financial and material resources available to the Service are used in an efficient and effective manner." The Commissioner also has authority over the Special Reserve Police and another major police organisation, the Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service. This authority is granted by theMUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS ACT sections 50 & 51 and the Special Reserve Police Act 15:03. Some of the powers the Commissioner has over these other organisations are:
* Every Municipal Police officer shall be precepted by the Commissioner of Police
* At any time command any Municipal Police Officer to perform duties as may be required to be performed, within their Municipality.
* The general command and superintendence of the Special Reserve Police
* Call out members of the Special Reserve Police on full-time, part-time or temporary service

### Independent oversight organisations
#### The Police Service Commission of Trinidad and Tobago

The Commissioner is under the oversight of The Police Service Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (PSC), an independent body, who is granted this authority under Section 123 of the Constitution. They have the responsibility to nominate persons who will be appointed to hold or act in the office of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police. The appointees must be approved by The House of Representatives of Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago. The PSC also monitors the performance of the Commissioner and DCP. The PSC can remove from office and take disciplinary action on the CoP and DCP. Hear appeals from police officers about promotions or disciplinary actions taken by the Commissioner. The PSC comprises five members, a chairman and four other members, who are chosen by the President after consultation with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and then approved by Parliament.

#### The Police Complaints Authority

Another independent oversight body is the Police Complaints Authority. They have the authority to investigate offences committed by police officers. These investigations can be started by either the Authority’s own observations or by offences being known in the public domain. Also by complaints brought forward by the public or any other institution.

#### The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

The TTPS also interacts with another independent organisation, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The DPP is an independent office established by the constitution which grants the power to undertake criminal prosecution against persons in any court in Trinidad and Tobago. The DPP, works with various Governmental, Non-Governmental and international agencies involved in prosecutions matters. The TTPS regularly consults with the DPP in criminal cases as the Director has the power to discontinue any criminal proceedings, whether started by the DPP or others, at any stage in the process. The current Director of Public Prosecution is Roger Gaspard, SC.

## Organizational Structure

According to the Ministry of National Security the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has a total staff establishment of Seven thousand, eight hundred and eighty-four (7,884) regular officers; supported by a cadre of two thousand, five hundred and sixty-one (2,561) full-time and four hundred and forty-four (444) part-time Special Reserve Police Officers and five hundred and thirty (530) permanent civil servants employed via the Public Service Commission and five hundred and eighty-five (585) contract civilian employees. The TTPS comprises an Administrative Headquarters, ten (10) Police Divisions, and twenty-four (24) Specialist Sections
The current Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher was suspend by the Police Service Commission on January 31, 2025 pending the outcome of a criminal probe into the acquisition of two sniper rifles for the Strategic Services Agency (SSA). The House of Representatives approved a government motion for DCP Junior Benjamin to be acting Commissioner of Police on February 5, 2025.
Commissioners of Police :
| Years | Name |
| 1902- 1907 | Colonel Herbert E.J.Brake C.B D.S |
| 1907-1916 | Colonel George Douglas Twain C.M |
| 1916-1930 | Colonel George Herbert May J.I.G V |
| 1931-1938 | Colonel Arthur Stephen Mavrogordato |
| 1938-1948 | Colonel Walter Angus Muller C.M.G C. St. J. |
| 1949-1962 | Colonel Eric Hammet Fairfax Beadon G.B 1 |
| 1962-1966 | George Thomas Whitmore Carr C.V.G G.B.E Q.P.M E |
| 1966-1970 | James Porter Reid M.G.M Q.P |
| 1970-1973 | Francis Eustace Bernard M.G.M Q.P |
| 1973-1978 | Claud Anthony May M.G. |
| 1978-1987 | Randolph-Urich Burroughs M.O.M T |
| 1987-1990 | Louis Jim Rodriguez |
| 1990-1996 | Jules Bernard |
| 1996-1998 | Noor K. Mohammed |
| 1998-2003 | Hilton Guy |
| 2003-2004 | Everald Snaggs |
| 2004-2007 | Trevor Paul |
| 2007-2010 | James Philbert |
| 2010-2012 | Dwayne Gibbs |
| 2012-2018 | Stephen Williams |
| 2018-2021 | Gary Griffith |
| 2021-2022 | Mc Donald Jacob |
| 2023-2025 | Erla Harewood-Christopher |
| 2025- | Junior Benjamin |

### The Executive

The "UPDATED PUBLIC STATEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY 2024" states that he Executive of the Police Service comprises the Commissioner of Police and fourteen other Officers:
* One Commissioner of Police
* Three Deputy Commissioners:
* Deputy Commissioner Intelligence and Investigations.
* Deputy Commissioner Operations.
* Deputy Commissioner Administration and Operational Support.
* Eleven Assistant Commissioners:
* Assistant Commissioner North West.
* Assistant Commissioner North East.
* Assistant Commissioner South Central.
* Assistant Commissioner Criminal Division.
* Assistant Commissioner Tobago and Eastern.
* Assistant Commissioner White Collar Crime.
* Assistant Commissioner Central Intelligence Bureau.
* Assistant Commissioner Administration.
* Assistant Commissioner Tactical Support.
* Assistant Commissioner Specialized Support.
* Assistant Commissioner of Police, Special Branch

### Specialist Units/Sections

The TTPS is divided into various squads and units including:
* Anti-Corruption Investigation Bureau, formerly known as the Special Investigations Unit, which was part of the Criminal Investigations Department
* Air Support Unit
* Criminal Investigations Department
** Fingerprint Bureau
** Police Photography Unit
** Robbery Squad
** Stolen Vehicles Squad
** Interpol Bureau
** Anti Kidnapping Unit
** Criminal Gang and Intelligence Unit
* Court and Process Branch
* Cyber and Social Media Unit
* Financial Investigation Branch (FIB)
* Fraud Squad
* Guard And Emergency Branch (GEB), also known as Riot Squad or Tactical Unit
* Homicide Bureau of Investigations
* Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)
* Canine unit
* Mounted Branch
* Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit
* Police Academy, formerly known as St. James Barracks
* Special Branch
** Research and Analytical Unit (RAU), formerly part of the Cyber Crime Unit
* Special Reserve Police
* Trinidad And Tobago Police Band
Specialist Sections :
| Specialist Sections | Major Functions |
| Anti-Corruption Investigations Bureau | Investigates alleged acts of impropriety on the part of Justices of the Peace and all reports and allegations of corruption against Government Officials, Public Officers, Police Officers and Public and Statutory Bodies |
| Criminal Investigations Department | Investigates serious crimes and maintains record of offenders. |
| Child Protection Unit | Investigates recent matters of sexual offences, abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, neglect and ill-treatment of children |
| Coastal and Riverine Support Unit | Conduct patrols along the coastline & rivers, where intelligence reports suggest that narcotics, firearms and illegal immigrants enter. |
| Complaints Division | Investigate complaints against Police Officers. |
| Court & Process Branch | Prosecutes most offences of summary jurisdiction, maintains order within the precincts of courts, serves and executes court documents |
| Crime and Problem Analysis Branch | Responsible for the collection, collation, and analysis of crime data. |
| Cyber & Social Media Unit | Assists all investigators with technology-based investigations and operates as an Intelligence gathering tool. |
| E99/Emergency Response Patrol | Assists all investigators with technology-based investigations and operates as an Intelligence gathering tool. |
| Financial Investigations Branch | Financial Matters |
| Fraud Squad | Investigates fraud offences |
| Gender Based Violence Unit | Investigates matters related to Gender-Based Violence and Intrafamily Violence |
| Guard & Emergency Branch | Guard duties, high profile exercises, escorts high risk prisoners, maintains order at industrial unrests, major events and demonstrations, and responds to emergencies in relation to public order. |
| Homicide Bureau of Investigations | Investigates/Supervises investigations into homicides. |
| Inter-Agency Task Force | Mandated to deal with crime in areas which are deemed “hot spots” for criminal activities. |
| Mounted & Canine Branch | Used as a Support System to perform such duties as patrols, escorts, crowd control, ceremonial duties. |
| National Operational Task Force (N.O.T.F) | Specialized task force used for high-risk operations. |
| Operations Command Centre | Primarily responsible for monitoring CCTV systems in public roadways through-out Trinidad and Tobago. |
| Police Academy | Responsible for recruitment of persons as police officers and continued professional training of officers. |
| Professional Standards Bureau | Ensuring the integrity, transparency and efficiency of all investigations, including Criminal Complaints made against Police Officers. |
| Special Branch | Confidential investigations, Intelligence gathering, V.I.P protection, Security Surveys |
| Special Investigations Unit | Investigates, prosecutes, disrupts and dismantles gangs and persons involved in serious organized crimes both nationally and transnationally |
| Special Operation Response Team | Specialized task force used for high-risk operations. |
| Traffic & Highway Patrol Branch | Patrol of the Highways and Main Roads, other duties incidental to the patrols |
| Transport & Telecom Branch | Maintenance of transport and telecommunication systems. |

## Equipment
### Uniforms

As of Oct 18, 2024, all police officers, with the exception of four operational units,(the Guard and Emergency Branch, the Multi Operational Police Section, the Inter Agency Task Force and the National Operation Task Force) have been ordered by then Police Commissioner Erla Christopher to return their police tactical kits. This change was enacted because of criminals impersonating police officers to commit crimes such as robberies, assaults, kidnappings, and even murders.
* Senior officers wear beige Khaki drill Guayabera shirts and trousers, worn with black Sam Browne Belts
* For formal dress, male officers wear white shirts and black trousers
* For formal dress, female officers wear white shirts and dark blue skirts
* None task-force or regular officers wear, grey shirts with dark blue trousers
* Females wear dark blue shirts with skirts or pants worn with black Sam Browne Belts
* the Guard and Emergency Branch, the Multi Operational Police Section, the Inter Agency Task Force and the National Operation Task Force officers wear digital-urban camouflage kits (BDU)

### Personal equipment

In August of 2015, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service signed a deal to acquire the SIG Sauer P226 and SIG Pro to replace some of their older firearms which include the Smith & Wesson M&P.The P226 will be issued all ordinary police officers, while the SIG Pro would be issued to members of the Special Branch Unit. On November 17, 2017, the Ministry of Works and Transport released a statement indicating Minister Rohan Sinanan signed an order to acquire more LIDAR speed guns for the TTPS. In 2018, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service began planning to equip its officers with body cameras, pepper spray, and tasers. In 2019, TTPS made plans to acquire more body cameras, tasers, and pepper sprays to give to their officers.

### Vehicles

In January of 2011, it was announced that the air fleet of the former Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT), which was made up of four helicopters and an airship, had been absorbed into the TTPS. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Air Support unit formerly operated two BO 105 helicopters. During his 2025 budget presentation, Finance Minister Colm Imbert promised 2,000 new TTPS vehicles over the next three years. Of the $1 billion spent by the TTPS between 2013 and 2023, at least $299 million was spent on purchasing vehicles, $368 million on maintenance and $172 million on rentals.Between 2014 and 2023, the TTPS has spent upwards of $25 billion overall, Finance Ministry documents stated.

## Police Officer Deaths

While on-duty police officer fatalities are relatively infrequent, with ten officers killed between 1982 and 2024, off-duty deaths are more common. Notably, seven off-duty officers were killed in 2024 alone. Many of these off-duty deaths occur while officers are performing private security, often at supermarkets and retail stores, a practice requiring Commissioner's permission. In September 2014, the People’s Partnership government introduced a TT$1 million death benefit grant for the families of officers killed on duty. According to Guardian Media, as of November 2024, three families have received this grant.
Police officers Killed on Duty (1982-2024) :
| Name | Rank | Unit | Date | Note |
| Krishna Banahar | Police Constable | Siparia CID | 06/11/2024 | Killed in a shootout with gunmen at a house in Guapo |
| Clarence Gilkes | Police Constable | Western Division Task Force | 22/04/2022 | Killed by a police-issued bullet in Rich Plain, Diego Martin. |
| Sherman Maynard HBM | Police Constable | Port of Spain Patrol Unit | 24/07/2015 | Shot and killed by escaping prisoners outside the Port of Spain Remand Facility on Upper Frederick Street. Awarded Humming Bird Medal (Bronze) (Posthumous) |
| Hayden Manwaring HBM | Sargeant | San Fernando CID | 18/02/2013 | Shot and killed when he and other officers responded to a report of a robbery in San Fernando.Awarded Humming Bird Medal (Bronze) (Posthumous) |
| Anil Persad | Police Constable | South Eastern Division Task Force | 01/05/2011 | Shot in his stomach during a shootout at a police raid on a marijuana field in the Charuma Forest, Rio Claro. |
| Edward Williams HBM | Inspector (Ag) | Special Branch | 10/08/2004 | shot dead while providing security for former President Robinson Awarded Humming Bird Medal (Gold) (Posthumous) |
| Kieran Parke | Police Constable | Court and Process Branch | 30/12/2002 | shot in his back when he visited a mini-mart on Ajodha Street, Don Miguel Road, Barataria, to serve a court summons. |
| Solomon McLeod | Constable | Special Reserve Police | 27/07/1990 | shot and killed at the north entrance of Police Headquarters during the events of the attempted coup. |
| Roger George | Assistant Superintendent of Police | | 27/07/1990 | killed in the attack at the Red House |
| Ramkhelawan Bootan HBM | Police Constable | | 1982 | Shot and killed when he responded to a report of a break-in at the Tamil Building on the corner of Duke and Edward Street, Port-of-Spain. Awarded the Humming Bird Medal (gold) (Posthumus) |