Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams is warning the public that they will not tolerate any breaches of the law during the rallies and meetings being held in the run-up to the Local Government elections next Monday.
Speaking with reporters at the Police Administration Building, Sackville Street, Port-of-Spain, Williams gave the commitment that the TTPS would continue to support all political parties participating in the election campaign.
He added: “We provide a police presence and support at every single event that we are aware of and we will continue to so do. We extend ourselves over the period of election and will continue to do that.”
Warning that “we are not changing the policing posture that we would have adopted for Local Government elections,” Williams said part of the challenge was “about reaching out.”
He said: “Political parties have a responsibility to address issues around their supporters and they must be responsible enough to publicly tell their supporters that they expect a certain kind of behaviour at political meetings.”
Adding that they were looking forward to hearing this clear position in the coming days, Williams said the message ought to be that “T&T does not condone any form of violence or threats in elections. It is not our tradition and should not be in our present and future.”
Addressing officers and civilians during a cheque handing-over ceremony, Williams urged both categories of persons to join hands and work together to promote peace and unity in T&T.
Applauding the North West Region for its foresight in introducing the fundraiser, dubbed “Police Men Can Cook Too”, back in 2014, Williams said the annual event had ballooned into a popular offering which had served to break down barriers among the various ranks of personnel.
Confident that next year’s edition would feature more innovative additions, Williams said policing also required innovative solutions.
Proud that the men and women serving under him had sought to “redistribute” the wealth they had realised from the venture, Williams said the goodwill gesture was testament to the TTPS’ efforts to always support each other and the more vulnerable in society.
Ten police youth clubs, four non-government organisations and two female officers were presented with cheques totalling $44,000 yesterday.
ACP John Richardson who heads the North West Region praised his predecessor, ACP Vincent Edwards, for conceptualising the idea and pushing to have it materialise into reality.
He said the venture could be used as one way to bridge the gap between lawmen and the public, as well as improve the networking skills of officers both internally and externally.
The youth clubs that received cheques included Goodwood, Guaico, San Raphael/Brazil, Maracas Bay, Maraval/Paramin, St Clair, St Margaret’s, Morne Diablo, Enterprise and Las Lomas.
Organisations included the Lady Hochoy Home, St Mary’s Children’s Home, Vitas House Hospice and the Sylphil Home of Love in Tobago.
Two female officers who lost their homes during separate fires earlier in the year were also presented with cheques.