National Security Minister Edmund Dillon was yesterday put on the spot over the Child Protection Unit by United National Congress MP Barry Padarath.
Speaking during yesterday’s sitting of Parliament, Padarath asked Dillon about the current complement of the unit and what was being done to ensure families receive the required assistance without delay.
His question was spurred by an exclusive T&T Guardian report of an eight-year-old child being used as a “sex slave” and allegations that relatives who reported the matter didn’t receive proper assistance from the relevant authorities until the story broke in the news.
Dillon, who didn’t have figures for the CPU’s complement, said the police service, through the CPU, had placed systems to respond to such incidents quickly.
Padarath said his information was that the CPU had taken charge of the issue, but because it was lacking resources had transferred the child in question to a relative who had indicated they were not able to take care of the child.
On another query, Dillon said there is a five-page report on the terms of reference — and expected outcomes — for the manpower audit for the police service. The audit will recommend on the adequacy or inadequacy of the service.
Dillon also announced that there were 78 serious crimes - including seven murders - over the Carnival period of February 24 to Ash Wednesday.
