Central division head Snr Supt Johnny Abraham says he recently received death threats from criminals and his life is also in danger.Abraham made the disclosure during an interview with the T&T Guardian's Central Desk in the wake of the shocking murder of prominent attorney Dana Seetahal on Sunday night."I have to be careful too. My life was threatened recently."Abraham said information was passed on to him by well-placed sources that criminal elements had targeted him and other police officers.
"I am not taking this lightly," he said.He said he is not afraid and vowed that with his last breath, he will "pull the trigger" to defend himself and his family."Afraid for what? If I was afraid, I would have left the work a long time."Abraham said he has, however, been taking extra precautions. "And I have God protecting me," he said.
Asked about his division's preparedness for the increase in the National Alert State from green to amber, announced by National Security Minister Gary Griffith after Seetahal's murder, he replied, "I am on alert already."Central is always on red alert (the second highest state). Nobody has to tell me to be prepared. "They are politicians. I am a police officer. We already have things in place."
Abraham said anti-crime measures in Central include fast response, roadblocks, stop-and-search exercises and parking at junctions for 20 minutes in crime-risk areas.Asked if he was prepared to work with members of the Defence Force if they were called out during the amber alert state, he said, "In the past there was a problem."But I am prepared to work with anybody, even MTS (schools security guards) to bring down crime in the country."
Griffith said the amber alert state means there will be an increase in air, land and maritime patrols and an increase in the operational preparedness and visibility of all law enforcement agencies.