TTPS ready for anything this Carnival—Young and Griffith
“The safest place in T&T is inside a Carnival fete…”
So says Police Commissioner Gary Griffith, as he weighed in on the current crime situation and the TTPS' readiness for Carnival celebrations.
And the top cop says his men and women officers are equipped and ready to deal with anything and make sure that their presence is felt.
During a drill with various arms of the TTPS at the Police Training Academy on Thursday, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says the police aren't being trained to use brute force, but rather, to destabilise potential deadly situations.
Police officers arrested for human trafficking
Two police officers, along with a Venezuelan national, have been detained in connection with trafficking in persons and other gang related activities.
The trio were arrested during an anti-crime exercise overnight in the Central Division.
The officers, who are assigned to Central Division Police and also live in the area, had their respective homes and lockers at the station searched.
The home of the Venezuelan national also was searched.
Police Commissioner and UNHCR Chief of Mission meet on Refugees Protection
Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, met today with Chief of Mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Leila Jane Nassif at the Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.
Among the topics discussed were national security and humanitarian protection as it relates to refugees, including issues such as sex slavery and trafficking of minors, with the priority of both agencies, the TTPS and UNHCR, to collaborate and cooperate and to look after the wellbeing of refugees.
Trafficking charges laid on pastor; top cop feels vindicated
The Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, is calling out those who questioned the investigation of Pastor Glenn Awong of Transformed Life Ministry.
In a Facebook post, the commissioner told his detractors that the charges of trafficking, false imprisonment and kidnapping of 69 people laid against Awong spoke for themselves.
Following is the full text of the Police Commissioner’s statement…
Nicole Dyer-Griffith: "We're as good as gold…"
On the day of her wedding anniversary, amongst the heavy criticisms of the general public of every move her husband, Gary Griffith, Commissioner of Police (CoP) makes, Nicole Dyer-Griffith assures that they both—along with her marriage—are "good as gold."
On Monday morning, top cop Gary Griffith took to Facebook, apologising to her for not "taking her out."
With the numerous deaths threats made against his family, Griffith was forced to send his wife and son to a foreign country to live.
Man who accused top cop of abuse killed
Cecil Skeete—the man who accused top cop Gary Griffith of choking, punching, and putting a gun to his head—has been shot dead.
Sources say the 50-year-old was shot several times last night near his Freedom Street, Cocorite home.
It is alleged he was part of the "Rasta City" Gang.
Over the years, Skeete reportedly had a number of run-ins with the law for possession of firearms and ammunition and other offences.
Guardian Media understands he was out on bail on charges of arms and ammunition possession dating to 2017.
Lawyer, 3 held as probe into Transformed Life Ministries continues
A prominent civil lawyer and three other persons have been detained for questioning of the trafficking of persons in the ongoing investigation into Transformed Life Ministries in Arouca in which 69 people were rescued from cages in October this year following an intensive Guardian Media investigation.
Senior police sources told Guardian Media that the attorney was picked up in the wee hours of this morning by officers of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) in an operation coordinated by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith and headed by Sgt Mark Hernandez of SORT.
Top CoP: do not pay for FULs
Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith is advising persons against paying anyone—including police officers—to secure a Firearm User’s License (FUL).
The top cop says that will not in any way assist in fast tracking their application.
In an official statement, Commissioner Griffith says he has learnt that numerous people claiming to know certain senior police officers, who have made promises to assist them in securing their FULs.
St Clair businessman in court today
St Clair businessman, Michael Patrick Aboud, will appear in court today, charged with possession of an illegal firearm and narcotics.
Aboud will appear before a Port of Spain magistrate.
He was arrested at his St Clair home last week, following an almost five-hour long raid by officers of SORT—the Special Operations Response Team.
The exercise was coordinated by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.
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Story by NEWS DESK