UK officer in TT Police manpower audit committee

The committee has held over 20 meetings the last being on Tuesday.

Sources revealed that an initial audit has so far revealed while there are 7,500 police officers on record, only 4,500 are on active duty, with the rest on sick leave, vacation leave, suspension, study leave and other types of leave.

The committee has already provided Rowley and Minister of National Security Edmund Dillon with a status report on its work.

The Terms of Reference of the committee are to help improve the police service by examining if the existing manpower is adequate in both quantity and quality, to serve the country’s public safety and national security requirements.

The committee was also given authority to look at municipal police, estate constables, special reserve police and even private security firms to see the extent to which they could be of assistance, so that they could assist in partnering with the police. This could be achieved through legislative reform.

A lot of ground has been covered, sources said, and the team has entered the data collection stage. Committee members have been having regular consultations with Security Minister Dillon. At the end of the audit, the committee is expected to submit its report to the Prime Minister which would include whatever recommendations deemed necessary to improve the service.

Contacted yesterday for comment on the status of the Manpower Audit being carried out, Chairman Deosaran said, “neither myself nor the committee will be prepared to speak publicly on the work in progress.” Newsday understands Deosaran will be visiting Aruba next to address a Caribbean Commissioners of Police conference in which the main theme will be dealing with organised crime.

The Members of the committee are Ag DCP Harold Phillip, ACP Erla Christopher, retired Permanent Secretary Jacqueline Wilson, attorney Allan Meiguel, security management consultant Dr Levi Guy-Obiakor Ag ASP Anand Ramesar.