By Sue-Ann Wayow
MORE than 4,000 matters being investigated by the Child Protection Unit (CPU) are delayed due to victims or persons not co-operating with police officers.
This was revealed by Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds on Tuesday in Parliament.
Hinds was responded to a question for oral answer initially asked by Member of Parliament for Moruga/Tableland Michelle Benjamin.
Her Parliamentary colleague David Lee asked the question on her behalf.
The question was, “With regard to reports made at the Child Protection Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, will the minister indicate: a) how many matters are currently lodged at the CPU, b) how many persons were prosecuted as a result of any matter reported to the CPU?”
Hinds replied that according to information received from the Commissioner of Police, investigations were being conducted by the CPU into 2,565 matters.
He said, “However, it should be noted that investigations by the Child Protection Unit into a further 4,125 matters are currently delayed as a result of uncooperative victims or persons not keeping their scheduled appointments with the officers detailed to so investigate and these appointments include for medical examinations, for forensic interviews, for the purpose of recording statements among other such elements of their police investigatory work.”
And since 2015, when the CPU was established, 1,258 persons have been arrested for relevant offences and charged, the minister said.
