A former head of the Police Service’s Special Branch is tipped to be among deputy directors of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), government officials have indicated.
The official is among several appointments expected to be made to the SSA as the State moves to boost intelligence-gathering capability to increase the crime detection rate. The Special Branch is the intelligence-gathering unit of the Police Service and also provides bodyguard and escort services for public officials.
The SSA is reported to have the capability to eavesdrop on and monitor telephone conversations, emails and social media posts. In 2010, the then PP administration revealed that under the previous PNM Government phones of journalists, politicians, judges and others were being monitored by the SSA.
The PP amended the law and several employees were dismissed. The current PNM Government last month brought legislation to Parliament to widen the scope of matters which can be monitored by the agency.
Since January the SSA has been undergoing restructuring following its merger with the National Operations Centre—formed under the PP—and several people were fired recently.
T&T Guardian learned that a former female head of Special Branch is tipped for one of the deputy director posts, as well as a former official of the one-time Special Anti-Crime Unit of T&T (SAUTT). SAUTT was formed under the past PNM administration but was disbanded by the PP in 2010.
Contacted on the appointments, last week, SSA director George Robinson said “those are not newsworthy items” and declined comment. He added T&T Guardian had called him on his “private” cellphone and advised calling SSA.
Government officials said yesterday the SSA is in the process of restructuring and a statement might be issued later.
With Government under fire for the spiralling crime and plummeting detection rates, Prime Minister Keith Rowley in Parliament last Friday said Government had brought to Parliament legislation, the SSA bill, for security agencies to “get into” the conversations of those planning crime. He added the State would ensure agencies have what they need to fight crime and he expected this would lead to an increase in detection.
He said the challenge on detection and curbing crime has been put squarely in the hands of the police and security agencies on government’s payroll as the ones with responsibility for handling crime. Rowley said it was unacceptable that crimes were being committed and nothing was being heard about follow-ups. He said the National Security Minister and all those in security have a duty to ensure this is reversed.
The Opposition has, however, slammed the SSA bill, debate on which continues Friday in Parliament.
Opposition MP Prakash Ramadhar said the bill was dangerous and vested too much power in the SSA, particularly with the interception of communication, and the hands of the political directorate who would be able to choose who heads the agency.
He said the SSA director, under the cover of safeguarding the state’s well-being, would have authority to use interception of communications and undertake surveillance in relation to “serious crimes,” that is, all crimes attracting a five-year jail term or any offence.
Ramadhar had noted the wiretapping which had occurred under the PNM which included journalists, the former chief justice and president. “No one was safe,” Ramadhar stressed.