Residents who burn debris and block roadways as a form of protest run the risk of being arrested and can face a criminal charge of sedition.
The warning came from Inspector Sheridon Hill during an interview on the CNC3 Morning Brew programme on Thursday.
Hill said while citizens have many rights they must be exercised in a responsible manner.
“In fact, if you block the roads you commit a road traffic offence,” Hill said.
While many communities have protested by blocking roads and igniting debris to raise awareness of poor roads condition, lack of water or a police shooting to get the Government’s attention, Hill said when civilians do that “they are all breaking the law.”
“When you do that you commit a slew of offences…not just road traffic offences.”
He said sometimes when people do things, the police would exercise restraint by not enforcing the law, resulting in people feeling empowered to do wrong things.
In many instances, Hill said police officers are assaulted and expletives are hurled at them.
Asked if the TTPS will now clamp down on such obstructive behaviours and arrest protesters, Hill said this can happen, because roads should not be blocked as it impacts society.
Hill noted such actions and behaviours can be viewed as seditious activity.
“It can be, depending on the purpose for which those persons are doing that. The overall intent is to grind the country to a halt…or you doing that to inject a hatred and contempt for the Government…for a particular section of society, then that would constitute sedition. I am not saying that every act of public demonstration would constitute sedition.”
Hill said if someone wants to have a public march or meeting, they ought to apply to the Commissioner of Police not less than 48 hours and not more than 14 days before the event.
The application has to reach certain requirements before it is approved.
What the Sedition Act says
The Sedition Act, Chapter 11:04, Section 4(1c) states that a person is guilty of an offence who publishes, sells, offers for sale or distributes any seditious publication.
Further, the Sedition Act, Chapter 11:04: Section 3(1a) states that a seditious intention is an intention to bring into hatred or contempt, or excite disaffection against Government or Constitution.
Section 3(1c) states that a sedition intention is an intention to raise discontent or disaffection amongst inhabitants of Trinidad and Tobago.
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable to on summary conviction to a fine of $3,000 and to imprisonment for two years.
The TTPS is warning persons against aiding and abetting the aforementioned offences. Chapter 10:02, Section 2 of the Accessories and Abettors Act, states that any person who aids and abets, counsels or procures the commission of an indictable offence may be indicted, tried and punished as a principal offender.