Task Force officers now at St Barb’s Police Post

AN UPSURGE in gang-related killings and violence in St Barb’s has prompted the executive of the TT Police Service to move officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) into that area. Since last Monday, ten officers who were originally at that police post were transferred to Besson Street Police Station to make room for the incoming task force officers.

The police post, Newsday was told, is now being occupied by 20 task force police as well as soldiers, both from the IATF. The decision was taken last week by Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul for the ten officers at St Barb’s Police Post, to be transferred to the uniform section at Besson Street Police Station to increase manpower at that station. It was also decided that some of the IATF officers formerly based at VMCOTT, would be moved to the St Barb’s Police Post. Senior officers felt that the IATF officers will be better able to respond to reports of serious crimes in the area.

Residents of St Barb’s can still make reports to the area’s police post since sentry officers from the IATF are on duty round the clock. Newsday learned that some detectives from the Besson Street CID will soon be moved to St Barbs to assist IATF officers in patrols as part of the latest anti-crime initiative. The IATF is under the direct supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police Oswyn Allard.