Tobago
Corey Connelly
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Junior Benjamin says customer service must become part of the police service’s culture if it is to capitalize on its push towards intelligence-led policing.
On the Tobago Updates morning show on July 16, Benjamin said a wide-ranging customer service initiative has already been launched within the police service to better engage members of the public.
“This is something that’s going on where we’re talking to people who are not just police officers, but also the Task Force,” he said. “Everyone needs to understand that customer service is important because it’s about community partnership, which is an important pillar in the police service’s strategic plan. Therefore, this community engagement is important. It just can’t be something you decide. It has to be an integral part of the culture of the police service because we all have to be community police officers.”
Benjamin said police stations should be adequate
“It’s about time we had some cupcakes when you came in. We need to show the police service as a service that is truly here to serve.”
Saying the initiative is a work in progress, he added, “We believe we are getting there. We are not there yet.
“However, we are going to see a change in that because we are going to be very hard and fast in delivering that quality service to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago so that people understand that this is what the police are all about .”
Benjamin said the police wanted to see not only a decrease in crime, but a reduction in the fear of crime.
“That will only happen when we try to start treating people right.
“We have to start going to the communities. We need to start making friends with people. We need to let people know that we care. And people don’t care how much you know if they don’t know how much you care.”
He believes that if police officers are attentive when people come to a station, they will be willing to provide information.
“This is an area we are working on. We already have the necessary intelligence coming from our various units, and what we want is more effective intelligence to keep us on the ground and guide us. We believe we are moving in that direction and expect an even better end of the year.”
As the country faces escalating crime, mostly through gun violence, Benjamin said citizens can expect to see more police on the streets.
“People can look forward to seeing more and more viewership. We are taking what we call a zero tolerance approach to the situation. We see that things are getting out of control and we say we will stand up, we will respond.
“TT is calling for the police service to respond and we are saying that we will respond. And we’re saying that when we respond you’re going to see more police officers out there. You’re going to see more stops and searches, more roadblocks.”
He said the roadblocks, while unpleasant for some, would have an impact.
“We will be there and enforce the law. The people we see outside at certain times, you have to account for yourself. We will have a zero tolerance approach and we say we need it now and we want the public’s support. We’re saying if you see something, say something.
We want to go all the way. Those guns are not just going to those countries. It’s about people. It’s on vehicles. We will be there.”
Benjamin said the Tobago Division, led by ACP Collis Hazel, has already increased patrols on the island.
“So far, Tobago is doing very well. When we look at patrols, we are seeing an increase in patrols. What we’re doing is not just working harder, but working smarter, and that’s what we’re going to do by doing intelligence-based, evidence-based policing.”
Benjamin said police are confident they will have the upper hand against criminals.
“It is important for us to understand, this is not a strange situation for TTPS. We’ve had situations where crime seemed to be too high and again, we were able to bring it down.”
He said that the police executive is not worried about the crime situation, but he is very worried.
“We have set strategies. As DCP, Operations, being commanded by the commissioner, we have seen the situation. I have called all my division commanders and I am very pleased to say that the Tobago Division, under the leadership of ACP Hazel and (Snr Supt Rodhill) Kirk have done a fantastic job in trying to really establish a level of stability in amid the turbulence we’re seeing.”
Tobago has recorded 16 murders for 2024 to date.
