POLITICAL leader of the National Transformation Alliance (NTA) Gary Griffith says while government ministers were being protected by armoured vehicles, police officers were using Nissan and Toyota vehicles that made them vulnerable to criminal elements.
In a release on Tuesday, Griffith said, “… the government has chosen to have our police officers patrol in
vulnerable vehicles like Toyota and Nissan cars at the most ungodly hours, which offer such little protection that even a stone thrown at them can do significant damage, far less a bullet from a high-powered automatic weapon. These conditions are similar to what exists in some parts of Jamaica where gangs use the same types of weapons, which can easily kill or maim unprotected officers.”
He said while police officers face daily risks in inadequate vehicles, the government has approved eight armored vehicles to protect politicians, including those stationed at a golf course to safeguard the prime minister.
His comments come after a police officer was shot through a potentially expired bulletproof vest. Griffith, who has also served as a soldier and police officer, expressed deep concern over the safety and respect afforded to those in uniform.
Griffith said during his tenure as police commissioner he ensured that nearly 50% of firearms were issued to police officers and other law enforcement personnel for their protection. He said his efforts were met with vilification by the government, which opposed his measures to safeguard officers.
The incident two nights ago, where an officer’s bulletproof vest failed to stop a bullet, has sparked serious questions about the condition and expiration of the protective equipment provided to police and Griffith warned that if the vest was expired, the government of Trinidad and Tobago would bear responsibility for the potential loss of life due to negligence.
Griffith slammed the government for its alleged misallocation of funds. He said that while the government claims a lack of resources, it managed to allocate over $40 million to police investigations targeting political opponents.
In contrast, essential equipment such as tasers, pepper spray, body cameras, updated bulletproof vests, and armored personnel carriers for police officers have been neglected, he said.
