Caption: Roger Alexander. Photo: T&T Parliament
SAVING money was the reason behind the contract termination with La Romaine-based Diamond Systems and Supplies Ltd for the procurement of 3,000 body cameras for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
This is according to the Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
Alexander was responding to a question from the Opposition Senator Marvin Gonzales. He asked:”Can the Minister indicate the rationale for the TTPS rescinding its decision to honour its contract to Diamond Systems and Supplies Ltd for the procurement of 3,000 body cameras?”
The $25 million contract with Diamond Systems and Supplies Ltd for the purchase of 3000 body cameras was awarded by the TTPS in August 2024. The contract termination was confirmed by Alexander last month.
As of June 2025, only 17.9 percent of officers were equipped with body cameras. The TTPS will receive an allocation of $20 million for the fiscal year of 2026 to procure 3120 body cameras.
Alexander said, “In an effort to ensure prudent use of public funds, the Ministry of Homeland Security has solicited quotations from reputable companies from India, China and the U.S. All suppliers offer significantly lower prices than what was previously quoted.”
“The procurement was cancelled in order to save the Ministry and provide the officers with relevant bulletproof vests and vehicles.”
Gonzales asked a supplemental question, “Was there a legally binding contract between the TTPS and a supplier on this particular matter?”
House Speaker Jagdeo Singh asked him to use the term ‘executed contract’. Gonzales corrected the question.
Alexander responded, “Although the arrangement was made, not one cent was paid to the persons.”
Gonzales did not accept the answer and repeated his question.
Singh asked him to move on to his next supplemental question.
“Can you state whether legal proceedings have been initiated by the supplier against the cancellation of the contract?” Gonzales asked.
Alexander said that he was not aware of any.
Gonzales also asked if the current Ministry of Homeland Security had instructed the TTPS to terminate the contract with Diamond Systems and Supplies Ltd.
Singh did not allow the question.
