Experts are coming to T&T to deal with the problem of the breakdown of the TTPS’ automated fingerprint machine—and in the interim, the police service is continuing to take prints and is making use of their manual systems.
Minister of National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds confirmed this at yesterday’s meeting of Parliament’s Standing Finance Committee. In this process, Opposition MPs examine items in the 2023 Budget’s supporting documents on ministries.
Hinds yesterday gave the information while speaking about the TTPS, which received a $2.4 billion allocation in the Budget.
He was asked about a release which stated that the machine for the certificate of character had broken down. Hinds said as with all other machinery and equipment, it was subject to fault and breakdown.
“On this occasion, we’re talking about equipment that is in heavy use, has been around for a while— and yes we’ve had the challenge of the equipment for that automated fingerprint system going down.
“It was repaired. It went down again— some technological issue—and as late as (Wednesday), I was advised by the Police Commissioner that we’re expecting the provider of that service to be with us, on our shores in T&T, to pay particular attention to it,” Hinds said.
He said the equipment would be examined holistically, in particular whether it might need upgrading or replacement. The equipment’s provider and experts from the provider will do an assessment “and do what they can to improve the thing to resolve the problem.”
“So it is a challenge and the TTPS is grappling with it. Meanwhile, they continue to take the prints so as soon as the machine rolls again, they’ll be able to roll them out quickly in satisfaction of the public request or need,” he said.
Hinds added that to some extent, the TTPS is making use of their manual systems to try to alleviate the situation.
“It is indeed a matter in front of us as a problem.”
Aside from this issue, Hinds said the TTPS has a current complement of 7,884 personnel in sanctioned strength, but the actual strength is 6,518. Operational strength is 5,561 personnel. He said there are 2, 383 active full-time Special Reserve Police (SRPs), 442 part-time ones, 269 contracted full-time, 11 contracted part-time returnees (retired officers) and 28 other contracted SRPS.
Hinds also confirmed there are foreign SRPs who have specialist capacity. They report to the Commissioner. He said the law allows the Commissioner to appoint any person in the country as an SRP, once satisfied they have the requisite capacity.
Hinds said recruitment is ongoing. A batch is about to complete training and there are 114 in the Police Academy,
On TTPS’ high overtime bill, he added, “Yes, we want more ‘feet on the ground.’ TTPS’ overtime reflected the need to respond to society’s cries for more intensive, extensive patrols to deal with the challenge we face,” he said, adding TTPS’ use of capacity and intelligence has intensified.
Hinds said the TTPS has a total fleet of 1,965 vehicles, with 1,250 operational and 715 non-operational. Repairs and maintenance are ongoing. TTPS professionals indicated that 492 of the 715 are unserviceable. Eighty new vehicles were also obtained. The process to procure additional vehicles requires that they can only be paid for when they arrive in the country, which is in the next six to eight weeks, he added.
The Riverine Unit has four vessels and has been very active, Hinds said, expressing condolences on the death of fisherman Lennox Joefield. He said when some vessels were being serviced, arrangements were made to have mobile patrols and Coast Guard assistance to fill in.
He also said there are 1,180 body cameras, with 850 in use by frontline officers and others liaising with the public. Some TTPS vehicles also have dashboard cameras.
But Hinds added that legal issues were encountered in having promised laptops and tablets for all vehicles and computerisation of all TTPS stations.
“That forced a review of the approach they will take. One approach is the establishment of the Divisional Command centres in seven of the nine police districts. The other two are expected before year-end.”
There are 95 TTPS Youth Clubs. Hinds said he’d seen privileged people “getting ministerial salary and MPs’ salary finding themselves going down the wrong path.”