By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than $25 million have been spent on two scanners to detect illegal firearms used in criminal activity but they are not working.
This was revealed at a Joint Select Committee (JSC) meeting on National Security that there were “technical issues.”
Attending the meeting from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) were Acting DCP Intelligence and Investigations Curt Simon, ACP Criminal Division Winston Maharaj and Senior Superintendent Northern Division (North) Kerwin Francis.
Committee member Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal asked about the scanners which JSC chair Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland said was an important one.
Simon responded, “They are not working. There are a number of technical issues that I am informed with that equipment.”
He added, “Efforts are being made to address that.”
Scotland asked about the cost the State paid for the scanners and was told the cost was more than $25 million.
He said, “I just do not understand why aren’t they functioning. We are trying to pump resources into the police service to make you all more effective, more up-to-date as a government.”
“What is the solution?” Scotland asked.
Simon said, “I can only relay what I was told that there are some technical issues with it.”
He said he will have to do further checks as it related to the cost because apart from the equipment’s actual cost, there was also a maintenance cost which he asked to be allowed to provide at a later date.
