The Police Complaints Authority (PCA) has investigated 28 cases involving foreign nationals between 2017 and 2025—with 20 closed and ten still under probe—according to a report.
The report, titled Blueprint for Oversight that Listens: Policy Lessons and Operational Strategies from the PCA’s Response to Migrant Complaints in Trinidad and Tobago, outlines key trends, challenges, and policy lessons from the authority’s work with migrant complainants.
It found that many cases were closed without referral because complainants withdrew, often out of fear of deportation, reprisal, or because of their uncertain legal status. Language barriers and limited access to support services also made it difficult for investigators to take statements or verify evidence.
The PCA said some reports involved misconduct that did not meet the threshold for formal disciplinary referral, leaving gaps in accountability. Others were delayed due to stalled police investigations or pending files at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, with some cases dragging on for more than two years.
The PCA said vulnerable complainants—including minors, undocumented migrants, and victims of trauma—required additional protection and support during investigations.
Of the 18 closed cases that were not referred, eight involved discreditable conduct and five involved neglect of duty. The rest included allegations of unlawful or unnecessary use of authority, corruption, misbehaviour in public office, larceny, assault, harassment, and malicious damage. Closure times ranged from six months to over two years, reflecting procedural and systemic delays.
The authority said the ten ongoing matters primarily involve neglect of duty (five cases) and fatal shootings (three cases). The remainder relate to disobedience to orders, non-fatal shootings, and assault.
To address these challenges, the PCA said it has expanded its Spanish-language services, introduced real-time interpretation, and begun training staff in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive investigation methods. It has also started publishing quarterly reports to keep the public informed and improve transparency.
The PCA said the report also outlined a proposed 10-Point Action Plan to strengthen accountability in cases involving vulnerable populations. These include trauma-responsive interview protocols, stronger partnerships with NGOs and consulates, digital case-tracking for complainants, an internal review panel for migrant-related cases, and a dedicated “Migrant Navigation Team” to guide complainants through investigations.
It said other proposals include adding “vulnerability flags” in the case management system, providing plain-language case outcomes in multiple languages, and working with regional bodies to standardise oversight practices.
“Oversight in plural and high-migration societies requires more than institutional independence—it demands cultural fluency, trauma sensitivity, and strategic accessibility,” the report said.
