THE country's murder rate is closing in on 500. It is a one statistic that may weigh heavily on the Finance Minister’s mind when he lays out how much money will be spent on national security, in his 2024/2025 budget.
In his budget presentation last year, Imbert said he was disturbed by the untenable level of murders in TT before announcing his allocation of $6.912 billion to national security.
“Crime and violence remain pressing and troubling problems that severely undermine our citizens’ welfare.”
At the time, he said the country’s total revenue was $54.012 billion. Total expenditure was $59.209 billion and fiscal deficit stood at $5.197 billion.
Education and training got the largest chunk of the pie, with $8.022 billion. The health sector got $7.409 billion, followed by national security.
He said since the government took office in September 2015, it has prioritised efforts to combat serious crimes.
Imbert said this includes equipping law enforcement with state-of-the-art tools and enhancing police training to improve performance.
Crime-fighting measures announced by Imbert included: increasing the annual intake for recruits from 300 to 1,000; training for police officers will continue in various aspects and technologies; $80 million for new vehicles and equipment for the TTPS and $15 million to establish a Riverine Police Unit at the Carenage Police Station.
As far as Newsday was able to ascertain these promises never materialised.
Increasing the annual intake for recruits
To address the shortage of active police officers – affected by retirements and resignations – the Commissioner of Police was mandated to triple the intake of recruits in 2024 from 300 to 1,000.
This increase was to be facilitated by utilising facilities outside the Police Academy, including the Chaguaramas Convention Centre, while the academy’s capacity is expanded. Several schools were to be used for training after hours. Funding for additional trainers was allocated within the recurrent expenditure.
On January 12, thousands of men turned out for the TTPS recruitment drive in Port of Spain and Marabella.
The drive targeted men aged 18 to 35, requiring all applicants to have at least five CXC passes and a valid driver’s licence.
An advertisement on the TTPS’ Instagram page highlighted the benefits of joining, including meal, housing and cost of living allowances; free medical, dental, optical services and paid leave.
Newsday arrived around 3 am and saw applicants had already gathered, with some sleeping in their cars parked near the academy.
On May 29, 156 new officers were inducted into the ranks of the police, with the Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds urging the cohort to “rise to the challenge” during the ceremony. He stressed their crucial role in upholding public safety and national security.
Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher addressed the recruits, and said they were joining the service at a time when policing faced significant scrutiny.
“The integrity of officers is un
