Joseph: One suspect held, search on for two others

Joseph read the details of a letter sent to him by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, giving an update on the two explosions which took place in Port-of-Spain. The letter was headlined: "Situation on explosion in East Port-of-Spain."

The (first) suspect whose home was searched was still being questioned, Joseph said. He added, "other leads" which the police were pursuing, would most likely result in the detention of more people, and to further investigations (See page 3).

In connection with the July 11 bombing on Frederick Street, Joseph said police held three persons, who were subsequently released. He said statements had been taken from 48 persons on that matter.

Pressed by journalists on why no one had been arrested for the July bombing, Joseph said he couldn’t compel police to "turn up" evidence on who planted the bombs. In response to questions, he could not say if police were looking at the same group of suspects from the two bombings. However, Joseph said, he hoped that the country was not witnessing the start of a new development, with bomb blasts becoming a trend.

He said Government had copied the FBI model and planned to establish a homicide prevention working group (to focus on gun and gang-related violence) and an incident coordinating centre (to deal with kidnappings). "And I am hoping that we have not reached the point where we (also) have to put some bomb (prevention) team in place," he said. He said the national community could rest assured that the law enforcement agencies were responding with vigour.

However, he noted that one of the challenges facing the ministry was sustaining the increased level of surveillance and policing with the limited number of police officers available.

Asked to respond to increasing calls for his resignation, Joseph said he served at the pleasure of the Prime Minister, and if it were the Prime Minister’s wish that he no longer continue, then he had no option (but to leave). He said he knew that the job as National Security Minister was challenging when he accepted it, but he thought there would be "more results," he admitted.

He said the plan to put surveillance TV cameras in Port-of-Spain by the end of the year was "on track." A technical team, comprising a member of the Police Service and the Special Anti-crime Unit and two investigative agencies as well as personnel from the Ministry of National Security, was currently looking at submissions in this regard. Joseph defended Government’s decision to bring in expertise from overseas after the July 11 bomb attack — the FBI — saying that international collaboration was the name of the game. "We will spare nothing to ensure that the security and safety of the people in Trinidad and Tobago are paramount," he said, adding that Government would have "no hesitation" in seeking outside help.

Asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the Police Service, Joseph conceded that the Police Service had to be modernised to bring it into alignment with the environment.

He said all over the world the trend was towards problem-oriented policing led by intelligence-driven policing.

He said things were happening and he was satisfied that, at the end of the day, the Government will get results.