Defence Force reserves and Special Reserve Police officers are being called out and various security exercises are being implemented for the election campaign period which is due to intensify from this weekend’s political party rallies.
National Security Minster Carl Alfonso confirmed the situation at yesterday’s post-Cabinet media conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, St Clair.
He said about 100 soldiers would be called out and the Police Commissioner would determine how many police officers also would be called out. He said the measure was being done to ensure high law enforcement visibility and also to ensure the public felt comfortable and secure in the heightened campaign period.
Alfonso appealed to the public to tolerate and co-operate with security forces in upcoming days in terms of roadblocks and searches.
He said it would not be a situation like the “Day of Total Policing” on March 23 but there would be regular and frequent checks and roadblocks.
”It is not meant to annoy people. The security forces will only be doing their job and it’s meant to make people feel secure,” he added.
He also revealed that the armoured personnel carriers which Government had ordered earlier in the year should arrive later this month. He said a team had gone to Israel to examine models. However, he said, T&T required right-hand drive vehicles not left-hand ones.
His statement followed claims by the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of an alleged death threat against the PNM leader Dr Keith Rowley. Police are investigating the report of $15 million hit on Rowley’s life.
Rowley has alleged “the government” was behind that but the Prime Minister who ordered additional security for Rowley, has condemned Rowley’s claim and asked police to probe the report.
Alfonso said investigations were still ongoing into the alleged threat against Rowley. However, he said he was concerned about Rowley’s safety as he was concerned about the safety of everyone.
He said he had received some flack for initially saying he was unaware of the alleged threat but said he had heard about it unofficially like others and was later informed officially.
Alfonso added a report had been handed in by DCP Glen Hackett on the recent leak of the special branch memo two weeks ago.
Alfonso also said efforts were being completed to make the million dollar payment to the family of murdered police constable Sherman Maynard who was killed while on duty outside the Port-of-Spain prison during the July 24 jailbreak by three men.
Alfonso said administrative processes were being completed and “all the Ts are being crossed and Is being dotted to facilitate the payment.”