Police owe for 267 gun licences

Police officers across the country are using firearms for which they have not paid for firearm licences or certificates. This information came to light in the 2003 Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, dated October 2002 to September 2003, laid in the House of Representatives last Friday.

On page 37 under “Ministry of National Security”, the Report gave the findings of its audit done at 33 police stations across the country. It said: “At 13 stations, payments for 117 firearm users licences were outstanding. At 12 stations, payments for 150 fiream users employees certificates were oustanding.” Sunday Newsday sought a comment from Acting Commissioner of Police, Trevor Paul. He replied that he had not yet seen the Report and so could not comment. Sunday Newsday asked him whether the non-payment of licence/certificate fees meant that police were using unlicenced weapons.

Paul said that a delay in paying the fee for a firearm licence/certificate did not mean an automatic cancellation of the document. He also pointed out that the Report covered 2002 to 2003, and therefore it was possible the fees might have been paid in the interim. The Report also noted that police officers worked under bad conditions, noting: “At seven stations there were no vehicles.” Seven stations had no stand-by generators and six had no cash pans. The Report said: “Working conditions at several stations were reported by officers to be deplorable. There was evidence of termite infestation, leaking roofs, no property room, no facilities for female officers, and rotted floors.” Four stations were in a state of disrepair, it added.