(Trinidad Guardian) The United States and Trinidad and Tobago governments are pressing full steam ahead with the establishment of a vetted unit for the T&T Police Service (TTPS). This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent Denise Foster alongside US Ambassador Candace Bond.
It comes more than a year after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced the unit’s formation, which will identify targets, collect evidence, share intelligence, and facilitate prosecutions through both the US and T&T judicial systems.
Rowley, on July 15, 2023, told People’s National Movement supporters that the vetted unit would investigate corrupt police officers and government officials. He was speaking during a meeting on the San Fernando promenade.
“I am telling this country that we are prepared to pay extra to police officers in those vetted units if they will maintain their integrity and help us to root out the criminals in the police service, in the customs, in immigration, and in the Parliament,” Rowley said.
In January, the Prime Minister flew to Washington to discuss the vetted units, declaring that progress was being made. He repeated this in April.
There was much furore following his announcement last year. Former police commissioner Dwayne Gibbs warned that the officers should be selected on their merit and not for monetary reasons, while a former senior officer said it would not be a “quick fix.”
Police Welfare Association president ASP Gideon Dickson questioned why cops were being singled out, describing Rowley’s comments about corrupt police officers as “reckless”.