Caption: ACP Richard Smith, on his cellphone, with Manager of Corporate Communications of the TTPS Joanne Archie as they make their way out of the police headquarters after an alarm went off
By Prior Beharry
THE Police Administration Building in Port of Spain had to be evacuated on Monday after a fire alarm went off about 1.40 pm.
It happened amid the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) press conference.
Acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin made his opening presentation and Assistant Commissioner of Police Richard Smith, who is also the Gold Commander for Carnival 2025, said it was illegal to use droned during the Carnival and the banning of glass bottles when the alarm was triggered.
Manager of Corporate Communications Joanne Archie told the officers that the building had to be evacuated.
The press conference was stopped and all media personnel walked down the stairs from the second floor and exited the building at the corner of Sackville and Edward Streets in Port of Spain.
Police officers and civilian staff also complied. Two large fire tenders arrived shortly.
Outside, there seemed to be confusion about where the muster points were as some people said it was in Woodford Square, but Benjamin said it was by the Nelson Exchange and somewhere on St Vincent Street.
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Two fire officers with tanks on their backs and masks on their faces made their way into the building after it was evacuated.
The officers returned about 25 minutes later and FSO Moreno briefed Benjamin.
The acting police commissioner told the media later that the alarm went off due to repair works being done in the building at the time.
Benjamin said, “One of the breakers tripped… and the alarm went off.”
He said there was no form of fire and that the “place was safe now to return.”
