Caption: Roger Alexander. Photo: T&T Parliament
By Tiffany Sookoor
MINISTER of Homeland Security Roger Alexander says that virtual hearings are conducted at 13 out of 77 police stations across Trinidad and Tobago.
The was answering questions from the Opposition Senator Faris Al-Rawi in the Senate on Friday.
Alexander said that 77 police stations in Trinidad and Tobago are occupied by police officers.
He said police stations from where virtual courts are used included Arima, Besson Street, Chaguanas, Couva, Mayaro, Point Fortin, Princes Town, Rio Claro, San Fernando, Sangre Grande, Scarborough, Siparia and Tunapuna.
He stated that the virtual hearings accommodate criminal cases ranging from minor offences such as simple assault to serious crimes such as murders.
Alexander said that attendance for the virtual hearings from the period 2020 to 2025 has not been recorded and a comprehensive cross-reference exercise between the virtual courts and the judiciary has to be done.
He said that the total number of domestic violence cases heard in virtual hearings at police stations during the period 2020 to 2025 was not available.
Alexander said, “Accurate reporting requires the coordinated review of the judicial case files alongside TTPS station-level recording to ensure completeness and consistency, given the value and sensitivity of such matters. The information is not readily available. A detailed and verified response will be provided once necessary tabulations and cross checks have been completed.”
Al-Rawi questioned whether the Government plans to halt virtual hearings at police stations.
Alexander said that a comprehensive review is being done on the virtual hearings to come to an agreement moving forward.
Al-Rawi asked why it was reported in the newspapers that there was a certain policy to cancel virtual hearings at police stations.
Alexander refuted, “I think that the Honorable senator misunderstood what I said. Give me the opportunity to correct the goodly senator and the reporter, as usual. What I said was that the courts were occupied and areas of the police station and as a result of that, the police, different units would have lost their ability to continue investigations and to do identification parades. That is what the statement was about.”
