By Prior Beharry
OPERATIONS at the Firearms Permit Section of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) have are ongoing.
This was stated by Acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob in a release on Friday.
He said the section was actively accepting and he was approving applications for Firearm User’s Licences (FULs) and duly qualified persons were welcome to apply.
Jacob said that since 2015 a software was implemented to increase efficiency at the Firearm Section and to provide swift service to persons desirous of obtaining their FULs.
He said, “The full utilisation of the software would have enabled the section to be completely digitised, in an attempt to shift from the current outdated manual system.
“However, this process of digitisation was stymied by former employees of the Firearms Section, who failed to use the software and continued manual operations, which facilitated a host of corrupt practices.”
After receiving several reports, investigations were initiated Jacob in October 2021.
The release stated, “Several persons including police officers have since been charged for a series of offences ranging from Misbehaviour in Public Office and Approving Variation of Firearm User’s Licences Without Lawful Authority.
Jacob said, “Whilst the implementation of the Firearm Cards was a step in the right direction, the issuance of the cards as a replacement for the booklet was unlawful.
“I am making efforts to cause the law to be amended whereby Firearm Cards can be used in lieu of the booklet.”
