He said these aspiring lawyers are “cheating” the Service of valuable police time that could be spent catching criminals.

Maharaj said that over the past ten years, he has seen police elevated to the First Division on the basis of a Bachelor of Law and Management degrees, than crime-fighting record and skills.

Maharaj was the head of the Criminal Investigation Department in San Fernando and Princes Town Police Stations before retiring in 2013.

Asked for a comment on the spate of murders on Monday after he attended the High Court in San Fernando in a case in which he charged a Chinese woman for attempting to bribe a police officer, Maharaj said, “We have among the lowest detection rates for serious crimes in the entire world.

“Part of the reason is because the police service is packed with a growing number of officers who are cheating police time to pursue law and management degrees. Is either they want to defend criminals and make money or be elevated to the higher rank. The police service has become like a business, where officers’ interest is not detecting crimes but becoming lawyers.” Maharaj issued a call for an audit to be done on police officers who have been elevated over the past five years, in respect of the crimes they have solved. The country, he said, will find the results most alarming. Maharaj asked, “Why are police officers not pursuing crime-related subjects such as criminology and in forensics. It is because their interest is not police work. How can a police officers study for five years to become a lawyer (attorney), or for three years in management or Human Resource, without cheating time on the job?” Maharaj said that when citizens give police information on drugs and guns, police officers are either coward to act, or, they are busy reading law books. He frown upon the methodology used to fight serious crimes, pointing out that it is customary to see police officers in marked police vehicles speeding, with blaring sirens, on their way to ‘bust’ a drug blocks. “Is either they are cowards, or, they are corrupt,” Maharaj said. He said he declined an offer to return to service as an adviser on crime under the previous People’s Partnership government.

How can the crime detection rate increase? Maharaj advocated the recruiting of Scotland Yard detectives to work alongside police officers in police stations in localities where serious crimes are rampant.

At the ceremony on January 27, at the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce in Westmoorings, it was revealed that the programme which is a nine month e-learning course, is accredited by the Institute of Export and delivered by eBSI Export Academy.

The graduates included persons from exporting firms and also staff members of exporTT Limited.

Gopee-Scoon told the graduates that, “the understanding and appreciation gained about international trade will inevitably and ultimately result in more resilient and competitive businesses, and by extension, a stronger economy.” She added that ‘as newly recognized International Trade Specialists, all of you have a role to play in building our nation. Exporters now have the tools and enhanced knowledge-base to better navigate the global trading system; while those of you attached to exporTT will now have the knowledge to be more effective facilitators, as you treat closely with exporters and importers’.

Gopee-Scoon indicated that the Ministry of Trade and Industry, guided by Government Policy, continues to focus on increasing export capacity and competitiveness of value added goods and services, improving the business and trade-enabling environment and strengthening the Institutional Framework for Trade.

She said the Ministry is in the process of completing a comprehensive National Export Strategy (NES), aimed at improving the competitiveness of exporters by strengthening their business knowledge and exporting competencies; enhancing administrative efficiency of trade related services, via a reduction in the cost and delivery time of services provided by public trade related institutions; and providing greater support to help exporters penetrate targeted overseas markets, towards increasing and promoting the international profile and desirability of the country’s exports.

She expressed confidence that the implementation of the NES will have a major and real impact on Trinidad and Tobago’s exports and overall trade competitiveness noting that this reflects the Government’s on-going commitment to foster an open trade environment, appropriate for both budding and already established exporters.

Ashmeer Mohamed, Chairman of exporTT Limited in his address commended exporTT’s management for conducting the International Trade Specialist programme. He said this programme will allow exporTT to lay the foundation for the capacity building that would accelerate growth in exports and diversification, thereby achieving our mandate which is to grow and diversify the exports of Trinidad and Tobago away from oil and gas.

He added that, as the international trade environment becomes increasingly competitive and challenging, we are constantly seeking innovative ways to keep in step with international trade “best practice” to creatively overcome perceived obstacles.

Never before has the role of exporTT been more crucial in developing the talent to take products internationally, especially to larger, more complex markets like Latin America, EU, Africa, and worldwide.

She added that the Tax Information Exchange Agreements Bill currently before Parliament is simply intended to provide the mechanism to co-operate with the IRS on an obligation that already exists.

She was speaking at a FATCA breakfast seminar held by the association and the accounting firm Deloitte on Monday at the Marriot Courtyard Hotel, Audrey Jeffers Highway, Port-of-Spain. She said the association started the discussion on FATCA with the Government in 2012 and since then several stakeholders, including the local banks, the Central Bank and the Board of Inland Revenue had been working towards its implementation.

Schnoor stressed that there were critical reasons why this country must pass the agreement and bring FATCA into being. She said international business conducted from TT depended on corresponding banking relationships and most of these were with with US correspondent banks. She also said local banks were the clients of these correspondent banks which facilitate the needs of their clients, noting that all transactions which take place in US dollars worldwide must pass through the US banking system.

“If we do not become FATCA-compliant, US wire transfers, remittance services and other banking services can be restricted or, in a worstcase scenario, cancelled.” Local banks could lose their correspondent relationships and if this country were deemed to be a non-compliant jurisdiction, the banks might become subject to a 30 percent withholding tax, which would increase the cost of doing business, create a negative perception in the international community and make worse an already challenging business environment.

Schnoor said, “We have a precedent in the region for these negative consequences: Belize and Guyana are cases in point, and we should not believe it cannot happen here.” She said the association had been expressing its concern over the delay in the passage of the bill and recalled the number of media conferences held and press releases issued, adding that the association had met with both the Government and the Opposition to urge them to pass the necessary legislation.

“Our hope is that the citizenry appreciates what FATCA is and what it is not. We hope that the bill will be passed in the Parliament by the February 2017 deadline and all parties will do what is right and in the best interest of the country.” Deloitte Global Leader on FATCA and the Common Reporting Standards (CRS), Denise Hintzke led a session in which she explained the details of FATCA and what is required to comply with the law. She denied rumours being circulated that FATCA will be repealed , saying FATCA is a statute passed in the U.S Tax Code in 2010 and is a law that needs to be complied with. She said it is focused on finding U.S taxpayers who are not paying taxes or disclosing their global income to the IRS, adding that this was nothing new only the U.S. Government assuring that U.S persons are fully disclosing their income. She said failure to comply carried significant risks: apart from the withholding tax; there is the market risk to the country’s banking system of losing its corresponding banking relationships; clients of financial institutions in a non-compliant country could chose to go elsewhere because their income could be subject to the withholding tax. She said the country would also be at risk of suffering reputational risk.

Elijah Belgrave bagged a hattrick while Kareem Perry scored twice during the lopsided affair that also saw Kadeem Riley, Dexter Alleyne, substitute Micah Lewis and Kareem’s brother Jameel Perry get on the scoresheet for the Lawmen in qualifier one at the Port-of-Spain venue.

Like Police and Civic, St. Ann’s Rangers and Morvant Caledonia had to also contest the qualifying round of the Pro Bowl due to their bottom-four positions on the Digicel Pro League standings after last weekend’s Round Two Match Day Eight.

Rangers, following a 0-0 stalemate in the second qualifier of the night, defeated 2008 Pro Bowl champions Morvant Caledonia 5-4 in sudden death of a penalty shootout to book their place in this season’s quarter-final draw.

Rangers’ goalkeeper Cleon John was in terrific form between the sticks for the St. Ann’s club with three saves in the shootout—denying Morvant Caledonia’s Keron Bethelmy and Jameel Neptune, then Kordell Samuel in sudden death. Police however, were unstoppable from the first whistle and showed no mercy against the side that spent all season anchored at the bottom of the Pro League standings.

Coach Richard Hood’s men were in front from as early as the second minute after Belgrave swooped in on a rebound to hit past goalkeeper Miles Goodman, who had kept out an initial attempt from Kareem Perry. Belgrave, enjoying the night in an attacking role, made it 2-0 on 16 minutes after controlling a diagonal Jameel Perry pass inside the box and firing low beyond a hapless Goodman.

Belgrave, usually at centre-back for Police, missed out on a third on the half-hour mark when he struck high from the spot after Reigh Alexander had brought down Kareem Perry inside the box.

But Belgrave completed his hat-trick ten minutes from time with a low left-footed drive past Goodman for the Lawmen’s ninth goal following an enterprising solo move by substitute Christon Thomas, who unselfishly picked out his teammate in the middle of the area.

Belgrave was also instrumental in his side’s third item to go into the break with a 3-0 lead after his pass in the 44th-minute set Kareem free to lob an onrushing Goodman from 18-yards out.

Police showed off their flair with six more goals in the second half.

Like early in the first half, Goodman conceded again on the rebound five minutes after the break when Riley smashed in from the edge of the six-yard area to put the score at 4-0 after the Civic goalie had made a save.

And, with a spectacular diving header in the area by Alleyne in the 57th-minute to meet a right side Belgrave free-kick, Police were 5-0.

Twelve minutes later, Kareem completed his double before quick goals by Micah Lewis and Belgrave in the 79th and 80th minutes made it 8-0. Police recorded the highest scoring win in all competitions this season after Jameel put his name on the scoresheet in the second minute of stoppage-time.

Callender, along with Richard Thompson, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman are expected to receive gold medals after placing second at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Last week Jamaican Nesta Carter was found guilty of using a banned substance in the men’s 4x100m relay at the 2008 Olympics.

Carter, along with the victorious Jamaican team, were stripped of their medals.

As a result, TT are expected to be upgraded to gold.

Since hearing the news, members of the TT relay team said it was a “bittersweet” feeling to learn that they may receive a gold medal almost a decade later.

Over the past week, Thompson vented his frustrations with funding issues national athletes face, and said the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith is not addressing the concerns of the nation’s athletes.

Callender, giving his two cents, said the devotion of athletes, coaches and parents must be rewarded.

“We enjoy different degrees of economic and social status. But we are at the end of the day one team, one family and we truly believe in our national words: together we aspire, together we achieve.

“I will however use this opportunity to speak on behalf of the voiceless. The development coaches, parents and young athletes all sacrifice their time for track and field and get nothing in return. They should be adequately compensated at some point.

“At least water or nutritious juices could once again be provided to the kids after training. Transportation from school to practice and from practice to home is a major issue.

Athletes who get to National Champs semis and final should at least get passage to go back home, if anything, for supporting the meets.” Callender spoke about the likelihood of earning his first Olympic gold medal and the funding concerns of TT ’s athletes.

“It was a privilege to run against the likes of Usain Bolt and Nesta Carter and now there is a chance of receiving Olympic gold from the same race.

This is however in no comparison to receiving an accolade in a year that I am achieving personal bests.

“Achieving top 10 ranking in seven billion people in the world gives you access to $250,000 TT (in elite funding from the Ministry of Sport).

Outside of medalling allows only access to $60,000 TT annually from the Ministry alone.

“This is $5,000 per month that I must provide bills for. My chances of accessing $250,000 in one year is slim but $240,000 accumulatively in four years is a bit more realistic.

“Elite funding does not exist for teams that perform in the Olympics, such as the teams I was fortunate to be a part of over the years.

T&T senior relays are usually ranked top 10 in the world. I am nonetheless grateful for the funding.” “At this time, if anything is offered by the people of Trinidad and Tobago I will accept it with grace. If nothing is offered by the persons in authority, I will accept it with the same grace.”

Defence Force have struggled in the Pro League competition recently, but are hoping to change their fortunes on Tuesday when the Digicel Pro Bowl quarterfinals kick off. At the Digicel Pro Bowl press conference yesterday at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Gordon gave his thoughts on the tournament.

Gordon said, “I think we are beginning the tournament as underdogs because the turn of the new year has not been good for the Defence Force. We have been through a difficult period and we have not gotten much points on the board in the league, but I think I have a group of soldiers that love knockout competitions. They have a great desire. It is a short competition, three games and you can be champs.” Defence Force, currently sixth in the league, will face San Juan Jabloteh (third in the league) in the quarterfinals at the Hasely Crawford Stadium Training Field in Port of Spain on Tuesday at 8 pm.

Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League, Dexter Skeene, spoke about the prizes on offer in the Digicel Pro Bowl.

Skeene explained, “The theme is winner takes all and in this vein, not only will the winning team take home $100,000 but a new scheme will be employed. The Best Defender, Best Midfielder and Best Forward from the winning team will receive a trophy, a handset courtesy Digicel and a voucher worth $1,000 courtesy the Fan Club.

“In the past we have had the MVP and the Most Goals coming from any of the teams, but to keep it consistent with the winner takes all concept, we decided that only the winners will benefit in this instance.” Digicel’s senior sponsorship officer, Christopher Edmond, said it is an honour to be involved in the Pro League. Edmond said, “Having already been in partnership at the Pro League level, it was a natural synergy for us to get involved in the Pro Bowl.

Over the past eight years it’s been our privilege to witness the display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, in addition to the bonds built, rekindled and promoted among the young champions of the sport representing the red, white and black on national, regional and even international playing fields.” The teams in the quarter-finals were seeded with reigning league champs and current leaders Central FC ranked top. They face bottom seed St Ann’s Rangers. The seeding was based on the teams’ current position in the Digicel Pro League. The Pro Bowl semifinals will take place on February 10 and the final will be played on February 19.

Digicel Pro Bowl quarter-finals Tuesday) Central FC vs St Ann’s Rangers, Ato Boldon Stadium, 6 pm W Connection vs Police, Ato Boldon Stadium, 8 pm Ma Pau Stars vs Club Sando, Hasely Crawford Training Field, 6 pm San Juan Jabloteh vs Defence Force, Hasely Crawford Training Field, 8 pm

During a media conference at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva yesterday, which served to launch the TT women’s football team programme, John-Williams revealed, “the Association is looking at contracting women players so that they’ll be full-time in the game and we can make a serious push for qualification at the Under-20 World Cup and the (Women’s) World Cup.

“The opportunity presents itself now for Trinidad and Tobago to really support the women’s programme.

But more important, Carolina’s stay goes beyond the national team. She’s going to be involved in grassroots programmes, she’s going to be involved in coaching education for the women’s programme.

It’s going to be a holistic approach.” Asked about the contracting process, John-Williams replied, “Carolina is evaluating the players right now and she’ll shortlist (some) players. As soon as we get that shortlist, we’ll put things in motion for that.” The TT FA has been under fire for their financial shortcomings within the past decade. But John-Williams noted, “it’s all part of our budget exercise. The TT FA, it’s no secret, is in a lot of debt but there are certain revenues that are available to the TT FA.” He pointed out, “I’m happy to say Government hasn’t given the TT FA any monies for the past five months and that is because of prudent management, fund-raising exercises, getting back our FIFA grants and channelling our monies in a proper way.” The 52-year-old Morace, who has a record of 105 goals in 150 internationals between 1978-1997, has coached both her native Italy and Canada. Her previous job was as technical director of Australian Men’s Premier League Club Floreat Athena.

A holder of a law degree, she was the first woman to be inducted in the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Other members of her technical staff include Nicola Williams, a 34-year-old England-born Australian midfielder who will be the Under-20 coach and women’s team assistant; and Elisabetta Bavagnoli, a 53-year-old former Italy defender/ midfielder who also worked with Morace with the Italy and Canada teams. Bavagnoli will be the assistant for both Women’s and Under-20 teams.

Morace noted that John-Williams convinced her to leave Australia to take up her new role.

“He presented a good project, he showed me that he wants to develop the women’s programme and he believe in the women’s programme,” Morace said. “We’ve started our first camp. The process was, first of all, to select (the) players.

The selection of the national team is always open.” Stating she has a group of 32-33 players, Morace noted, “we started with a physical test because we want to see where the players are at this moment. From that, we want to start our physical programme.

In this country there is a lot of potential.

“There are many who are fit and that’s really important in football.

We finished the test for the senior team. We are surprised because some of them are already at a very good level so they can just improve on where they are.” She continued, “this year we would not have any official competition so it will force us to get experience, to organise a lot of friendly matches, and to participate in some tournaments.” With regards to the friendly games, John-Williams suggested, “FIFA does not allow a friendly in a World Cup qualifier. It’s our intention to play Ecuador after the World Cup qualifying game against Mexico. I’ve spoke to Carolina about it and she said that’s enough time to prepare a team. As I said FIFA does not allow a curtain- raiser and we still have to get permission to see if we can play a double-header on that day. If we do get the permission from FIFA, it will be a bumper match.” Morace lauded the attitude of the TT players. “I have their attention, they want to learn (and) they learn quick. That has excited me in a positive way. They have to work a lot but they are ready (physically).” She insisted that her stay will be a useful one. “I’m not here on holiday.

I came from one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

From Italy I moved to Australia. It is another beautiful country. They have beaches too.

“We really didn’t have the time to go around. Before we go to relax we need to do some jobs. One of our jobs is to go to Tobago because we need to (see) players,” she ended.

The 53-year-old, who was recently named as coach of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team St Kitts/Nevis Patriots, was fired as WI coach last September due to “differences in culture and strategic approach”, six months after overseeing the regional team’s successful campaign in the World T20 in India.

The vacant WI coaching job was officially handed to ex-Australia all-rounder Stuart Law a few days ago.

The ex-Zimbabwe and Ireland coach will be assisting Afghanistan’s coach Lalchand Rajput on technical issues, according to the news report.

Between 1987 and 1999, Simmons played 26 Tests (1,002 runs at an average of 22.26) and 143 One Day Internationals (3,675 runs at 28.93 and 83 wickets at 34.65).

According to the news report, “the ACB management considered Simmons appointment a valuable step in players’ capacity development.” The Trinidadian, who shot to prominence after a successful eight-year tenure with Ireland, was recently named coach of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the 2017 Caribbean Premier League.

Held at their showroom located at 22 Oleander Row, Victoria Gardens, Diego Martin, the event attracted supporters of the K2K brand in spite of some inclement weather, and featured complimentary music, food and drinks.

The cooler-lime started at 6 pm and ended at midnight, with patrons enjoying a wide repertoire of music from the B2W, including the smash hit single from Maximus Dan and the Ultimate Rejects, “Full Extreme”.

A spokesperson for the band said: “Live brass is a special feature of the band’s 2017 presentation and will be provided by Brass 2 The World”, which is a newly-minted, live brass band, that aims to bring brass back to the road… Brass 2 The World is led by Bert Marcellin – son of the iconic bandleader and musician, Mano Marcellin, and features a 13-member orchestra, complete with a line-up of vibrant frontline singers, including Heaven “Snakey” Charles, Edwin “Ejay”’ Charles, Keisha Stewart, Whitney Cephas and Russel Cadogan.

K2K’s 2017 Carnival band is titled At The Helm and it aims to tell an empowering story of the individual becoming metaphorically, the Captain of his or her ship and by extension, his or her life.

The portrayal comprises three clusters: Aquaria – representing the creatures of the Sea, Nautica – representing Fancy Sailors and Waterworld – representing the Ocean and Seas.

Each cluster, in turn comprises several sections with appropriate names such as “Fighter”, “Glow” and “Gold Fish” in the Fishes Cluster; sophisticated fancy sailors in the Nautica Cluster and lavishly- crafted creatures in the Waterworld Cluster.

At The Helm is a portrayal that reflects the challenges which individuals face as they navigate the stormy waters of their lives and the unfolding revelations of their character and mettle during the journey.

The band will hit the road with a profusion of colour and magnificent costuming. Spectators can expect to see gold and fighter fish with flamboyant dorsal fins, high-fashion fancy sailors with replica sailboats on their shoulders and watery creatures of the deep carrying ten-foot wings made from silk fabric dyed to represent the ebb and flow of the sea.

“As a band, K2K Alliance and Partners appeals to the discerning masquerader who is looking for a portrayal that is rooted in a distinct, unique and memorable story, as told through breathtaking costumes and a memorable mas playing experience,” the organisation said in a release to the media.

“Band members can look forward to yet another compelling experience in 2017 – complete with the K2K style that has become synonymous with fun, fashion and flamboyance,” the release said.

For more info: visit the K2K Alliance and Partners Mas Camp, 637-1668, 767-9655 or www.

K2K-carnival.com

Bands facing the judges included CAL Invaders, Desperadoes, bp Renegades, PCS Silver Stars, MHTL Starlift, Phase II Pan Groove in Partnership with HADCO and Neal and Massy All Stars. Here are some highlights of the bands’ performances.