‘The suppression system, designed to safeguard critical records in the event of fire, ironically became the source of damage when its waterline failed’ – TTPS
IN the midst of a State of Emergency (SoE), a fire has now destroyed key records at the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) headquarters.
The fire occurred at the Police Administration Building on Monday just after 12 noon.
The TTPS informed the public that a rupture in the fire suppression system on the sixth floor resulted in significant damage to several secured records including Human Resources (HR) documents, internal memos, administrative files and Firearm Users Licence (FUL) files.
The TTPS said the incident occurred around 12.45 pm following a series of power outages and fire alarm activations across multiple floors of the building.
“The suppression system, designed to safeguard critical records in the event of fire, ironically became the source of damage when its waterline failed. Although the affected files were stored in a designated secure room, the flooding rendered many physical records irrecoverable,” the TTPS stated.
The TTPS stated digital records of each FUL application existed but they do not include digital copies of the original submitted documents.
This is due to the fact that the new digital application system, which is scheduled for rollout in the coming weeks, was not in place at the time those applications were made, the TTPS said.
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro is currently examining the damaged files, following which a list of those destroyed in the mishap,
will be published and persons will be asked to contact the Firearms Permit Unit, to assist in the reconciliation and recreation of their records.
For privacy and security reasons, names and addresses of applicants will be withheld and only FUL File numbers will be utilised.
TTPS confirmed that digital copies of the affected HR and administrative documents were backed up on its servers.
The service is actively accelerating the digitisation of the FUL application process to enable secure online document uploads and prevent future vulnerabilities.
Further updates will be provided as the reconciliation process continues, the TTPS said.
