THE armed police officers attached to the Port-of-Spain City Police (PCPS) are being highlighted in a negative light on social media are well qualified and properly trained to execute weapons.
This is according to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
In a release on Wednesday, the TTPS stated that the (PCPS) noted with great concern a Facebook post commenting on City Police officers’ use of certain firearms.
The TTPS also said while it was not their policy to respond to every petulant social media post, given the gravity and inaccuracies of the statements made, a response was necessary at this time, adding that such posts only embolden criminals to continue operating without fear.
Firearm training instructor Paul Nahous posted on Facebook pictures of members of the PCPS with firearms, he said, they were not equipped to use.
He stated, “I’ve brought up in the past the municipal police through the corporation purchasing weapons that were not only ill-suited for their duties but also officers being sent on patrol allegedly with firearms that they have not been trained by the accredited local body (TTPS Academy) to use. This has now been taken to the extreme where new submachine guns/ PCCs have been issued to the City Police, with no sights attached to some, and others carrying in a configuration where the sights are turned down (indicating that they are not familiar with the system).”
The TTPS stated that training for the PCPS falls under the direct purview of the Municipal Police Academy, which has access to and only utilises certified firearm instructors to deliver quality firearms training to personnel.
The TTPS stated, “Our Municipal Police Academy operates within the confines of both local and international best practices
when it comes to the professional training and development of our officers to effectively address emerging law enforcement challenges.”
The head of the Port-of-Spain City Police Superintendent Glen Charles, continued to ensure his officers have the relevant training and annual retraining to professionally execute their myriad of functions, the TTPS stated.
The TTPS stated, “The comments made by the author of the post were not only reckless but also dangerous, given the current threat posed to members of the protective services. Such unenlightened comments can only serve to embolden criminal elements to further challenge officers whilst on duty due to the belief that they are not trained in the use of their tools of trade. The Port-of-Spain City Police Service continues to remind members of the public that their safety and security is our utmost priority and that officers will continue to execute their duties with professionalism and courtesy.”
