Acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob has described the death of a 44-year-old policeman as an "act of war" and warned criminals that such actions would not be taken lightly.
According to the official police report, the officer, PC Clarence Gilkes was part of a team of 12 officers from the Western Division Task Force who received information of men armed with high-powered rifles on Upper Rich Plain Road, Diego Martin, at around 3 pm on Friday.
The report said they went to the area but were shot at by the men.
Gilkes was shot once in his neck.
The other officers took him to the hospital where he was declared dead shortly after.
Within the hour, officers from the West End Police Station, Western Division Task Force, Four Roads police and the Inter Agency Task Force went to the scene blocking off entry and exit points in the immediate area to try and find the men.
Police set up road blocks and had drivers open the trunks of their cars as part of the search.
For almost two hours only residents of Upper Rich Plain Road, were allowed to drive past these check points.
Up to late on Friday night, police officers of various units and members of the defence force combed the hills and back roads of Diego Martin, Carenage and Chaguaramas in search of the men.
Jacob visited the area just before 7 pm with other senior officers and spoke with the residents.
Speaking with reporters at near the scene of the incident, Jacob described Gilkes' death as "dastardly" and said no effort would be spared in finding those responsible and warned that such actions against the police would not be tolerated.
"They have declared war on the police service and I think that is the worst mistake anyone can make.
"Yes we operate within the framework of the law but we will do all that is necessary to deal with these persons who are responsible for this act.
"When you touch one police officer you have touched all. We are out here and we will do what is required to bring these people to justice."
He added that the officers involved were in pursuit of the gunmen who shot at them but they would be removed from duty and would receive counselling, noting that while they were able to escape the incident unharmed, they would have suffered some trauma from witnessing Gilkes' death.
[caption id="attachment_950984" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Police officers search the truck of a car entering Rich Plain Road, Diego Martin, as they search for suspects in the shooting death of PC Clarence Gilkes on Friday. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]
He said while the incident was saddening, it has further strengthened the morale of the police, noting that several officers have since volunteered to continue working even after their shifts have ended to help search for the shooting suspects.
"We have to hold back officers who were looking forward to coming here because we had sufficient people on the ground to see about this matter.
"Some officers who supposed to report off duty have decided to continue working to support their colleague
