Security at the Piarco International Airport has received a noticeable upgrade as a joint team of heavily armed tactical police and sniffer dogs has been deployed to prevent any upsurge in crime at the facility.
The initiative was announced during a brief launch at the airport’s VIP Lounge yesterday afternoon, where Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said the heightened security presence would go a long way towards securing a critical piece of this country’s travel infrastructure.
Referring to the murder of Arkin Quashie in April this year and the robbery of the Pita Pit outlet in early June, Guevarro said sensitive facilities which host citizens and international visitors should be adequately secured.
He also warned criminals that there were no gaps in the new initiative and vowed that any threats would be dealt with.
Guevarro also reminded the public that given the high-security nature of the airport, every step needed to be taken to ensure the safety of staff and travellers.
“To those who believe they can test the seams of the system, know this, we are not reactive... we are ready.
“Let this deployment be the first of many steps towards a safer, more secure Trinidad and Tobago, not just at Piarco but any space where our people live, move and hope.
“This is the international aviation gateway to our shores and if we cannot protect the sanctity of this space, then we would have failed,” he said.
Asked whether the remit of the officers deployed will overlap with those of estate constables of the Airports Authority who are already assigned to the facility, Guevarro said officers would act to support existing security mechanisms.
Referring to the heavy firepower used to murder Quashie, where crime scene investigators recovered 30 spent shells, the top cop said the dangers required a firm response.
“In recognising the heinous nature of the attacks that would have taken place, we decided to take upon itself the mantle of assisting the Airports Authority in providing that tactical support where the estate police may have been lacking.
“We recognise it was 30 spent shells, that is a lot of firepower to use against one man, so we have trained officers from the tactical units on the ground to ably assist the estate police.”
The tactical officers assigned to the airport he said would be pooled from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), which is trained to respond to high-level threats and heavily armed criminals.
He was unable to say how many officers in all would be deployed to the airport.
Last May, a 29-year-old suspect in a quadruple murder in Cocorite was arrested when he tried to board a plane bound for New York.
When asked if any additional security mechanisms would be introduced to not only prevent attacks against people arriving but also criminals seeking to flee, Guevarro said the arrest of the suspect last year was a testament to the effectiveness of current protocols.
“You’ve answered your own question because the last person who tried it was caught and he was caught because the systems we have in place at the airport work.”
In addition to tactical police, Guevarro said officers of the North-Central Division will also offer continued support through various activities.
“You may for instance see one or two officers walking around in uniform, but you may not be aware of how many are not (dressed in uniform).”
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said the introduction of additional security was not only important to ensure the safety of travellers, but also to show that the state was still in control.
“When we show the kind of safety and security we have at our international airport, it means that this country is well-prepared to take care of its citizens and visitors to this nation.
“I hope as the Commissioner would say... not the only place he intends to secure. He came into office and he’s hit the ground running, supported by Mr Benjamin and other executive members.
“When the law enforcement takes this kind of stand to not only protect citizens but let the criminals know that enough is enough, it speaks volumes.”