Commissioner of Police (CoP) Erla Harewood-Christopher has set a goal to reduce homicides by ten per cent in 2024, but data shows that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is currently falling short of that target. Harewood-Christopher shared these insights during a recent media conference held at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.
She outlined the violent crime reduction plan, emphasizing its holistic approach aimed at addressing various aspects of criminal activity. This plan includes efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, retrieve illegal firearms, eradicate drug blocks, combat transnational crime, enhance police intelligence capabilities, leverage technology for better operations, and focus on serious repeat offenders.
Moreover, the CoP highlighted the importance of strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the public. Strategies for achieving this goal include building public trust, increasing police visibility, improving the quality of police responses, enhancing accountability through supervision, managing police operations, improving roadway management, maintaining a zero-tolerance stance against indiscipline and corruption, promoting positive public messaging, and combating cybercrimes.
When discussing policing strategies for different communities, Harewood-Christopher noted that tailored approaches would be implemented to address the specific needs of each area. Despite the ambitious targets set out in the plan, the TTPS is currently facing challenges in meeting the intended objectives, particularly in reducing homicides and solving murder cases.
Recent data indicates a slight reduction in homicides compared to the previous year, but the detection rate for these crimes remains low. Although the overall crime rate has decreased, certain categories like woundings, sexual offenses, and illegal possession of arms and ammunition have seen fluctuations. To reinforce ongoing anti-crime efforts, a recent internal memo issued to police officers restricts leave applications to ensure sufficient human resources for crime-fighting initiatives. Additionally, efforts to address these challenges continue, with Commissioner Harewood-Christopher affirming that recent operational changes, such as the deployment of officers to Tobago, will not hinder the TTPS’s crime reduction plan.
