Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal is calling on National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Police Commissioner Earla Harewood-Christopher to clarify whether law enforcement officers are being supplied with inferior and expired bulletproof vests.
this follows the recent shooting of a police officer in the chest while on duty at St Paul Street in Port of Spain.
Concerns have been raised within tactical units of the Police Service about the vests exceeding their use-by dates. Some officers have reportedly resorted to purchasing their own body armor to ensure their safety against criminals armed with high-powered weapons, he said.
Dr Moonilal said this was a matter of life and death and called for an immediate and clear response from Hinds.
He said, “There are different types of bulletproof vests, classified by levels, with some being knife-proof and others tested against various calibers of ammunition.”
He said, “Given the current state of heinous crime and the high-powered weapons in the hands of criminals, all police officers must be equipped with appropriate, purpose-fit bulletproof vests.”
Dr Moonilal questioned whether officers have been using outdated or defective vests, which would expose the state to civil liability for failing to provide proper equipment.
He criticised Hinds for boasting about his performance despite ongoing violent crimes.
The MP also pointed out that last week’s traffic gridlock created by the Police Service did not reduce the incidence of killings, home invasions, extortions, and other brutal crimes.
