Officials of the Police Social and Welfare Association, who said they had expressed concerns about the RRU to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams, raised them again in the aftermath of the Dean killing. They blamed his death on the "fly by night" training of the special reserve officers (SRP) who comprise the RRU.
National Security Minister Gary Griffith's decision to accept the Police Social and Welfare Association's recommendations for revamping of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) is a demonstration of the level of dialogue and co-operation that should exist between two such crucial stakeholders in this country's national security system. It is also in keeping with a promise the minister made at the time of his appointment to listen to recommendations for fighting and reducing crime.The RRU, which was launched last January at the National Operations Centre in Port-of-Spain, is itself the result of dialogue and an effort at collaboration in the fight against crime between Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley. It was introduced after they met for talks late last year about tackling the rising murder rate.