New National Security Minister Edmund Dillon is reviewing the national security architecture, looking at the “people, systems and procedures” within this to ensure they are relevant to the threat-levels existing in T&T.
“That is to say, do we have the right people, systems and processes to deal with the threat. That’s the first order of business,” he told reporters at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, shortly after being sworn in to office yesterday. He said he could not give a time on completion of the review since he would have to see what existed, adding that will determine the time line of action. He said the review would determine where “we are and where we want to go.”
Dillon said there would be no question of firing, since “this Government is not about firing people,” but was about putting the best to get the best results. On the possible revival of the former Special Anti Crime Unit of the past PNM administration, he said that was something that may be looked at and how it was recreated within the present environment.
“So there may be changes within the present security framework, so I’m not ruling out SAUTT,” he said. Dillon hit the ground running, meeting shortly after being sworn in yesterday with heads of security agencies, including the acting Police Commissioner and Chief of Defence Staff. He said security of tenure of the CoP would be dealt with as soon as possible to ensure the Police Service remained steady.
On the OPVs which the past PP administration had cancelled, he said that would always be on his mind as a former Chief of Defence Staff. He said T&T still needed to deal with maritime security since borders were porous. He said certain types of vessels were necessary and the review would determine if T&T needed OPVs.