The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is moving to acquire additional vehicles to support the rollout of several new mobile police posts, as part of an effort to strengthen police presence and improve response times in crime hotspots.
Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin said at least three of the new mobile police posts could become operational as early as next week.
Benjamin said the TTPS is working to ensure the posts are properly equipped, with access to vehicles considered particularly important so officers stationed at the facilities can respond quickly when incidents are reported in surrounding communities.
“We are going to use all the resources within our power to ensure as much as possible we can facilitate these posts with at least a vehicle,” Benjamin said.
The mobile posts are being strategically positioned in communities identified through police intelligence as areas requiring an increased police presence.
According to Benjamin, placing officers closer to these communities is expected to improve police visibility and reduce the amount of time required to respond to reports.
He said greater police visibility could also help strengthen relationships between officers and residents while building public confidence in the Police Service.
The mobile posts will provide officers with accommodation and an operational base from which policing activities can be conducted within surrounding communities.
However, Benjamin acknowledged that resources remain an important consideration as the TTPS expands the initiative.
The Police Service is currently making use of available resources while pursuing additional vehicles to support the new facilities.
Divisional commanders and officers are also being prepared for the rollout, with Benjamin saying the intention is to ensure the new facilities are used to their full potential.
The initiative forms part of a wider TTPS effort to strengthen its operational presence across Trinidad and Tobago and improve its ability to respond to crime.
Benjamin said the ultimate objective is to position police officers and resources closer to the communities where they are most needed, particularly identified crime hotspots, while improving the overall delivery of policing services.
