Lead Editor—Newsgathering
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social and Welfare Association (TTPSSWA) has thrown its full support behind the move by the Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro to arm select off-duty police officers 24 hours a day.
TTPSSWA president, Asst Supt Gideon Dickson, fully backed the move yesterday, a day after Guevarro announced it during an appearance on the TTPS’ flagship television programme Beyond the Tape.
In unveiling the plan, Guevarro said, “It is my intention to institute an off-duty firearm policy where I will be arming all of my frontline, tactical and operational officers.
“So that in the past, even after they treat with a criminal, they would have had to sign off their weapons... well let me tell you, my officers will not have to sign off their guns again.”
Dickson yesterday welcomed the decision, describing it as consistent with international best practice.
“Officers who engage in high-risk operations and interact with the criminal element more frequently than others must be allowed to carry their firearms at all times,” he said.
“It is best practice worldwide for officers like those to be armed 24 hours a day because you perform the test 24 hours a day.”
He outrightly rejected the notion that officers should disarm once their shifts end.
“You want them to be upfront and personal when they’re working, and then when they leave duty, you want them to disarm? No, no, no. We support—I fully support that initiative.”
Dickson also praised Commissioner Guevarro for his early leadership and commitment to empowering officers.
“The commissioner has started excellently. Most of his public pronouncements are on point. He speaks directly to motivating and supporting our human resource, and once that occurs, it signifies that the group of persons you’re charged with leading feel supported,” Dickson said.
He said when officers feel that kind of backing from their leader, they naturally go the extra mile to safeguard communities.
He also welcomed the expected arrival of new bulletproof vests by next month, describing it as a major morale boost.
“We just want to commend publicly the efforts of the commissioner to do it,” he said.
Prison Officers Association president Gerard Gordon also backed the CoP’s initiative.
“We are in total, total, total support of the initiative of the Commissioner of Police,” Gordon told Guardian Media.
“It has been something that we have been asking for for a while, and we look at it as a step in the right direction.”
Gordon said he hopes the move will also be extended to prison officers, noting the importance of both access to service firearms while on duty and the ability to securely retain them off duty when necessary.
“We have to protect the protectors,” he said.
“We are also looking forward to some positive movements involving prison officers as well—something that I believe will be done.”
During the same broadcast, Guevarro also announced that the TTPS will begin reviewing Firearm Users Licence (FUL) applications submitted in 2025 that are not older than six months.
“I can’t be arming the members of the public and not be treating with my own officers,” he said. “You have not been left behind.”