Erla stops officers from using tactical wear

From today, the majority of police officers around the country must wear only the regular grey shirt and blue pants and desist from using police operational wear, commonly called tactical clothing.

This was announced by the TTPS yesterday after Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher banned the blanket use of police operational wear as a response to the fact that criminals were also using it to commit illegal acts. It is the second time this year she has issued a prohibition.

During a media briefing at Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain, yesterday, DCP Junior Benjamin read a memorandum to all senior officers mandating that only four units were now authorised to use the tactical wear.

“With effect from Friday, October 18, only the undermentioned units are authorised to wear the tactical uniform, (Guard and Emergency Branch, Inter-Agency Task Force, National Operations Task Force and Multi-Operational Police Section). All other officers assigned to divisions, branches, sections and units, including members of the divisional task forces, must be appropriately attired in Patrol Order number 3,” he said.

The issue of police tactical wear in the hands of criminals has received national attention after kidnappings and home invasions were carried out by heavily armed men wearing “police clothing.”

Benjamin said the TTPS had noted the number of instances of fake police and the memo was a “drastic stance” to address this.

The CoP had also issued a memo banning the use of the tactical wear in January.

Yesterday, ACP Richard Smith said the criminals were “desecrating our uniforms.”

All officers who have the tactical wear but are not assigned to the four units must return them on or before October 23 or face internal disciplinary action, which ranges from pay cuts to dismissal.

Smith also had a warning for criminals.

“I am saying to the criminals, you want uniform, take the uniform but wear it at your own peril because you won’t be wearing it for long,” he said.

To ensure the confusion being experienced by members of the public regarding fake and real police, Benjamin said officers in tactical wear will be accompanied by officers in digital camouflage or the regular grey shirt and blue pants as a measure to assure the public of their legitimacy. The officers will also be displaying their badges.

Benjamin advised that if citizens are uneasy, they should call the nearest police station. He reminded the country that having police uniforms without the necessary authorisation is a criminal offence and comes with a $30,000 fine or imprisonment of up to three years.

Meanwhile, ACP Smith added that fake police officers have also been engaging in extortion and have been demanding between $30,000 to $60,000 monthly from business owners.

Asked about the use of swivel lights by criminals, Benjamin said this too is being tackled by police.

“We are working on that with the licensing authority,” he assured.

‘Ban not enough’

In an immediate response, former Police Service Commission member and criminologist Professor Ramesh Deosaran said more should be done aside from banning officers from donning tactical wear.

“I don’t think that that problem can be changed by just changing the uniforms. Because whatever you change, they (criminals) will always get the uniforms of one kind or the other. There has to be a new method of police uniforms and who should wear it and if the uniforms are enough or if you need a big badge to be imprinted on the uniforms that will validate the authority. So we can’t just say change the uniforms.”

The post Erla stops officers from using tactical wear first appeared on CNC3.