By Sue-Ann Wayow
NATIONAL security agencies in Trinidad and Tobago are expected to go on a period of specialised training in relation to fire-arm related crimes.
The training was launched on Monday with an executive-level training seminar on forensic ballistics intelligence.
It was held at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain.
The training is part of a joint initiative between United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) and the British High Commission.
In a joint press release, the UNLIREC and the British High Commission stated that the training initiatives being offered were aimed at helping T&T advance its implementation of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap, a regional plan developed by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) with support from UNLIREC and CARICOM IMPACS to help the region combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking.
The UNLIREC and the British High Commission stated that rates of armed violence in the Caribbean surpass many other parts of the world, with approximately 70% of homicides in this region caused by firearms – compared to a global average of 30%. Ballistics intelligence supported by strong operational structures can improve the success of investigations and prosecutions by generating new information and new investigative leads, while also connecting crimes and criminals previously viewed in isolation.
The launch seminar focused on the importance of strategic ballistics intelligence and how it can be used in effective law enforcement investigations and prosecutions.
National Security Minister Stuart Young said, “Ballistics intelligence is huge. The positive effects of being able to pinpoint intelligence with the use of ballistics evidence is going to be critical in detection, solving crimes and successful prosecution.”
British High Commissioner, Harriet Cross said: “We commend the thorough work being done by UNLIREC in Trinidad and Tobago and throughout the wider Caribbean. And I’m really pleased that through our Conflict, Stability and Security Programme, we’ve been able to partner with UNLIREC in this region by funding this support to T&T.
“I would also like to applaud Trinidad and Tobago for your commitment to the Roadmap and the proactive approach that you’ve taken to your national action plan. It’s really impressive, and I encourage you to continue this excellent cross-agency working which is really the key to delivering strong results and lasting change.”
Over the next two weeks, there will be training and dialogue on forensic ballistics intelligence, firearms tracing, restoration of firearm serial numbers, inter-institutional roundtable meetings and a pilot study to enhance timely production of ballistics intelligence.
At the seminar, there were participants from the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Forensic Science Centre, Customs, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) and the Ministry of National Security (International Affairs Unit, Office of Law Enforcement Policy).
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith also attended.
Experts from the United Kingdom (UK) National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS), the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) made presentations.
The UK and Trinidad and Tobago have been working together, tackling shared challenges including transnational crime, corruption, money laundering and terrorism. Also, UNLIREC has been providing T&T with technical assistance since 2010 to combat the illicit use of small arms and light weapons by providing training in firearm examination, assessing the backlog of ballistics cases at the Forensic Science Centre and aiding in the destruction of nearly 4,000 weapons and 9 tonnes of ammunition, the release stated.
