TTPS canines, handlers steal show at parade

Senior Reporter

derek.achong@guardian.co.tt

Thousands of citizens crowded the Queen’s Park Savannah and the streets of Port-of-Spain for the Independence Day military parade yesterday morning. Dressed in national colours of red, white and black and armed with miniature national flags, many assembled at daybreak to secure a suitable vantage point to observe the annual spectacle, which began at the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Some retired military personnel, who still frequent the event after their exit from the protective services, claimed to have noticed a lower-than-average turnout at this year’s celebration of 62 years of independence.

Celebrations over the past two years following a two-year hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic were touted to be among the largest in recent memory.

“It is the lowest I have seen in 21 years,” one former soldier who asked to remain unidentified said. However, their suspicions of low attendance may have been a misconception as more citizens, who usually occupy bleachers and the adjacent track leading out of the savannah, were accommodated alongside dignitaries in the usually sparsely populated Grand Stand.

Guardian Media also noticed that many spectators, especially those with young children, decided against braving the scorching early morning sun at the savannah and instead took up positions along the parade route, which ended at the Police Academy in St James.

Those present at the savannah were treated to various traditional marching routines by detachments from the protective services. Once again, the two and four-legged members of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Mounted and Canine Branch, who were led by a female commander for the first time, stole the show as they drew lengthy rounds of applause with the well-choreographed routines.

The officers on horseback, led by Supt Renee Bain-Keller on her steed Hannibal, performed a synchronised routine utilising flags. A team of dog handlers and the canines wowed the audience with their ability to march in unison. The dog chosen to lead the pack was particularly impressive, as he smoothly manoeuvred through his handler’s legs after being unleashed and sat and lay down on command.

The audience also seemed to appreciate a well-coordinated display by members of the T&T Air Guard with two helicopters and a light aircraft, which appeared to salute the audience by flying low over the parading military personnel before quickly ascending.

The less formal street parade was the highlight for many, as members of the protective services were able to interact with members of the public, especially children, who were invited to sit on police motorcycles and behind the wheel of fire tenders.

Members of the public along the parade route were entertained by the bands of the protective services, who played popular compositions by calypsonians and soca artists to a marching tempo.

The parade was attended by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, several members of his Cabinet, Chief Justice Ivor Archie, foreign diplomats and retired military personnel.

Opposition returns to parade

While members of the United National Congress (UNC) were notably absent from the parade after the party demitted office in 2015, members of the Opposition marked their return to the annual celebration this year.

Mayaro MP Rushton Paray, Couva South MP Rudranath Indarsingh, Tabaquite MP Anita Haynes, St Augustine MP Khadijah Ameen, Caroni East MP Rishad Seecheran, and Opposition Senator Wade Mark were among those present. Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar was not.

Dr Rowley and members of the People’s National Movement (PNM) were absent from the parade while Persad-Bissessar was prime minister in 2012.

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