(Trinidad Express) Minister of National Security Gary Griffith says law-abiding citizens should not see the procurement of specially outfitted armoured vehicles as a threat, but rather as the country’s national security mechanisms at work. This was the message sent via a news release from the ministry on Wednesday in which Griffith defended the purchase of armoured vehicles in the fight against crime.
According to Griffith, these assets are not outfitted with aggressive weaponry and will not be operated in an offensive mode but rather to protect the hardworking members of the Defence Force and law enforcement agencies who are working to protect the citizenry.
“The minister reiterates that the only persons who should see these assets as intimidating are those operating on the wrong side of the law.
The acquisition of these vehicles is all part of the unified effort of delivery on the mandate of the Government to restore Trinidad and Tobago to a safer and more secured nation for all its citizens,” the release stated.
The release also said the vehicles will strengthen the work of the T&T Defence Force and the T&T Police Service so as to give them the best possible chance in their law enforcement efforts. It was also explained that armoured cars were not new to this country and that in the past the Regiment has operated similar vehicles. However, it was noted that the Defence Force has not been able to acquire these types of vehicles in over 20 years, and were instead utilising normal civilian vehicles to perform the duties expected of the Defence Force.
According to the release, “(Minister) Griffith stated that modern-day law enforcement is evolving at a rapid rate to treat with threats which may not have existed decades ago. Due to the transnational nature of crime, there is now more than ever a need to restructure and realign T&T’s National Security apparatus as the present capacity of our Defence Force and law enforcement agencies does not cater for these new threats.”
