Mixed reactions to tactical gear recall CoP Erla

Jensen La Vende

Senior Reporter

jensen.lavende@guardian.co.tt

The call by Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher to limit the use of police tactical uniforms only to officers assigned to four specified units is receiving mixed reviews from police officers.

Officers, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, say the tactical wear is simply more comfortable.

During a media briefing on Thursday, Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin said only officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch, Inter-Agency Task Force, National Operations Task Force and Multi-Operational Police Section were now allowed to use the tactical wear.

The decision to halt all other officers from donning the operational kits is in response to a rise in criminals posing as police officers to engage in kidnappings, extortion and murders.

DCP Benjamin added that 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.

Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday via phone, officers said the recall may not have the desired effect, as the record-keeping at the police’s stores department is not the best and is not digital. One officer added that with the questionable record keeping, almost half of the 7,000-plus officers over the years were once issued tactical wear.

Another officer said the assigned grey shirt and blue pants uniform is not “conducive to human beings.” He added that the pants seemed to be dress pants attire and as such, were not ideal for patrols and chasing after criminals.

“This uniform was designed in the early 1900s. In this modern day, the right side of the pants have a long pocket for a baton. So these pants have only one pocket. Nowadays, police officers have ticket device, their cellphones and other devices and nowhere to put it. The tactical uniform has the cargo pants and the jacket has four pockets. I actually lost a couple of things in the past when they told us we had to go back to the grey uniform, so the change for me is uncomfortable,” the second officer said.

Reacting to the order for police officers to stop wearing the tactical uniforms, the TTPS’ Social and Welfare Association said the development is an opportunity for the introduction of an ergonomic and contemporary uniform that is climate-friendly.

In a media release yesterday, the association said while it acknowledges the concern of fake police and the methods to address it, it was advocating for all divisional task forces to be allowed to wear digital camouflage uniforms.

“Over the next six months, the service should establish, identify and acquire a standardised operational wear conducive to our country’s climate and terrain. The association stands ready to assist in this regard.”

Philbert: Give it a chance

Meanwhile, former acting police commissioner James Philbert said the order was needed, since the use of tactical wear was being abused.

Asked if he thinks this will influence the abuse of police clothing being used by criminals, Philbert said it might, and the country should give it a chance.

“It might, we will see what happens. If the criminals want to pursue wearing grey and blue, and I don’t know if it has ever happened in the past, but it is a step in the direction of making something not so easy,” he said.

Also commenting on the directive was former police commissioner Gary Griffith, who claimed it was a retroactive step. He said police tactical wear or clothing resembling that is easily accessible, and police uniforms should be changed, a process he had actually initiated before his contract ended in 2021.

“Reverting to the grey uniforms of the 1960s is not progress; it is regression, and this decision is indicative of the larger issues plaguing the leadership of the police service, where, instead of embracing innovation and forward-thinking solutions, there is a fear of change that pulls us back to outdated practices,” Griffith said.

Former Police Service Commission (PolSC) member Martin George also said the focus should be on embracing technology rather than changing uniforms. He said impersonating police officers is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago and criminals will continue to find a way to do so.

“One is not sure as to how much the efficacy of such an action is really going to impact the problem when the problem really is detection, arresting and charging, that’s what we need to do. In other words, the police service needs to get up to speed with facial recognition software,” George said.

The issue of men dressed as police reignited after the kidnapping of businessman Suvesh Ramnarine last Saturday. The 33-year-old businessman was abducted from Rob’s Bar in Cunupia by five men dressed in police tactical wear. A $3 million ransom has been demanded for his safe return. Up to late yesterday, he remained in the hands of his kidnappers.

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