T&T Partners With US To Create ‘Vetted’ Police Units To Tackle Rogue Elements

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the United States and the National Security Ministry to establish ‘Vetted’ Units, free from rogue elements within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). At a Political Rally in July 2023, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced that, "Where the American Government has undertaken and we have agreed to accept it to create within our Police Service, what we call Vetted Units." The Prime Minister explained the benefit this would have to ensure fewer corrupt police elements. "One of the problems that we have is that there are too many criminals in the police service, so when they're going after the non police criminals, they have their friends in the police service to tip them off and we have to have vetted units. And I'm telling this country that we are prepared to pay extra to police officers in those Vetted Units if they will maintain their integrity." At a Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday, Special Agent in Charge of the Caribbean Division of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Denise Foster, said the Memorandum of Understanding is a step towards strengthening the relationship with the TTPS, providing training, mentorship and working closely to address trans national criminal organisations operating throughout the Caribbean. "We work with the Trinidad (and Tobago) Police Department or Police Service to identify those members of this Unit. And there is a process, so it will take some time, but again we have been working together already and we have been for 20 years. So this is just a, this is another step forward." Ms. Foster said the US has worked with several other countries in establishing such units successfully. "We're establishing one here. We've had units for years in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru. So there's many different countries that we've been successful and to be clear, we are it's an opportunity for us to work together and just to provide resources and it's a collaborative effort. You know the Police Department, they have been you know working and addressing crime for many, many years. So we are just another piece of the puzzle." She pointed out that there are plans to establish these units in the region. "I think the entire Caribbean is benefiting from it. We are part of the US as part of the Caribbean Community. So we are all benefiting. Its not just us benefiting, its the entire Caribbean benefiting from this. Just like Trinidad and Tobago is benefiting from it, we're addressing the violence and the crime in the region." Following the signing of the MOU, National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said the establishment of a Vetted Unit will enable local law enforcement to have access to advanced equipment and training; as well as enhanced operational partnerships with their DEA counterparts. And US Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Candace Bond, said the United States’ assistance in establishing this vetted unit will empower Trinidad and Tobago law enforcement to operate in partnership with U.S. security agencies at an unprecedented level of professionalism and expertise. The Ministry of National Security said it envisioned that this new “Vetted Unit” will enhance T&T’s ability to investigate and prosecute individuals involved in criminal activities that threaten the stability and security of the region. It added that the Unit will identify targets, collect evidence, share intelligence, and facilitate prosecutions through both the US judicial system and in Trinidad and Tobago. The US Embassy said this collaboration emerged from the July 2023 visit to Port of Spain of US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and a congressional delegation led by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as Prime Minister Rowley’s subsequent visit to Washington in January 2024.