Cops need modern training — Paul

Paul made this suggestion, to underscore the need for regular training in the police service, after members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad and the Special Anti-Crime Unit completed a four-day workshop on investigation procedures and kidnapping offences yesterday. The training exercise was organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and held at the Ministry of National Security, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain.

Paul said in the absence of necessary information, officers may tend to neglect their duties, referring to the allegations made by Luke’s mother that the Couva police failed to respond immediately to her report when Sean disappeared. The boy’s body was found on Tuesday. He had been sexually assaulted. Several teenage suspects have been held in connection with his murder. Paul said if those officers were acquainted with the information which members of the Anti-Organised Crime and Law Enforcement Unit, of the United Kingdom, shared with the elite units maybe they would have reacted as soon as Sean was reported missing.

He reiterated that the Police Complaints Unit is carrying out a full scale probe into the allegations and if the officers failed to carry out their duties they will be dealt with.

As for the workshop, Paul said he was pleased that the officers learnt how to enhance their skills to investigate kidnappings.

The AKS and SAUTT officers were enlightened to information on hostage taking, negotiations with kidnappers, hostage recovery, and other aspects of dealing effectively with a kidnapping.