(Trinidad Express) The Emergency Powers Regulations 2024 has been published. It details the rights of both citizens and law enforcement during the period of the State of Emergency declared on Monday in response to the murders and a gang war that threatens public safety.
Among the provisions, is the order a gun amnesty.
According to the regulations:
“No person who surrenders any firearm, ammunition or explosive during any period that is prescribed, and otherwise in accordance with an Order to surrender, shall be prosecuted under the Firearms Act or regulation for illegally purchasing, acquiring or possessing such firearm, ammunition or explosive prior to the time of such surrender or at that time.”
The Defence Force now has police powers
“A member of the Defence Force referred to in subregulation (1) shall, for the purposes of these Regulations, have the powers of a police officer and shall, where acting in accordance with any general or special instructions of the Commander of the Defence Force or of any superior officer of that Force given in pursuance of subregulation (1), be deemed to be acting in performance of the duties imposed on a police officer by these Regulations or by any Orders made thereunder.”
The power to search without warrant
“Notwithstanding any rule of law to the contrary, a police officer may, without a warrant and with or without assistance and with the use of force, if necessary– (a) enter and search any premises; or (b) stop and search any vessel, vehicle or individual, whether in a public place or not, if he suspects that any evidence of the commission of an offence against regulation 8 or 12 is likely to be found on such premises, vessel, vehicle or individual and may seize any evidence so found.”
