PM assures sufficient security for Carnival

In addition to the significant involvement of mobile and foot patrols by the security forces, Rowley also said directives have been issued to mobilise members of the TT Defence Force Reserves to reinforce the Police Service and the Army. Speaking on the wider issue of crime, the Prime Minister said, “We have no crime plan. We have an anti-crime plan.” Rowley, who is chairman of the National Security Council (NSC), said a major part of that anti- crime plan is improving the efficiency of the Police Service.

He explained this is why a manpower audit of the Police Service is being done. Rowley recently disclosed that the committee to perform this audit is being chaired by former Police Service Commission (PSC) chairman, Professor Ramesh Deosaran and will submit its report to Cabinet by March 31.

He also said efforts are being made to improve the information-gathering techniques used by law enforcement agencies. Rowley added that Government remains committed to an agreement made last year with the Opposition for the National Security Joint Select Committee (JSC) to be headed by an Independent senator and not by a government minister.

Public Utilities Minister Fitzgerald Hinds is the current chairman of that JSC. When Naparima MP Rodney Charles claimed a visiting professor said government ministers should not chair such committees, Rowley countered, “He does not have to deal with the under-handedness that I have to deal with.” Speaker Bridgid Annisette- George warned Charles about charging that the Opposition does not trust the Government. Annisette- George also disallowed Charles and Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal from asking about the author of the ten-point anti-crime plan which the People’s National Movement (PNM) submitted to the former People’s Partnership (PP) government, while the PP was in office.