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A concerned and emotional Minister of National Security yesterday pleaded with more than 200 police crime fighters to do their best to deal with the escalating crime situation in the country. The minister, Senator Martin Joseph, made the call during a meeting with specially chosen officers based at the Criminal Investigation Department, Traffic Branch, and E-999 from all police divisions. The event took place at the Ambassador Hotel and was attended by Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, his two Deputy Commissioners — Glen Roach and Oswyn Allard — and other senior officers.

The officers who attended the seminar were handpicked by senior officers for the one-day seminar. During his 30-minute address, Joseph told the officers if ever the country needed the support of the police, it was now, to fight the runaway crime situation. He also told them they needed to “give their all” in the anti-crime initiative. The minister admitted he was concerned with the escalating crime in the country, but he assured that the National Security Ministry and Government were putting everything in place to ensure that resources were made available to assist in the fight against crime. Newsday learnt that several cars, jeeps, and vans would be made available to police officers shortly, to be deployed in the 18 crime “hot spots.”

During the seminar yesterday, officers were asked to give their views on ways and means of bringing crime down and reducing crime in the “hot spots.” Joseph’s advisor, Richardson Franklyn, also addressed the officers and reiterated the need for officers to show their commitment to the fight against crime. In his address, Police Commissioner Trevor Paul assured the officers they would be rewarded for their hard work, and he urged them to heed the minister’s call. Newsday learnt the 600 police officers recalled to duty by the commissioner will be deployed in the 18 “hot spots” on a round-the-clock basis from today. The officers will be required to wear the police uniform to ensure police visibility.