RESIDENTS across the country are complaining that many police officers are not acquainted with the communities they serve.
When there are reports of crimes, some police officers spend precious time enquiring about the relevant locations and how to get there.
This startling reality is emerging at community meetings that are being held are various districts and at which residents are invited to participate.
The lack of knowledge of the geography of the communities emerged again at a recent meeting at Cunupia.
The Express newspaper editorialised that there is “a gap to be filled” between people’s complaints and the organisational activities of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
At various meetings, residents are also speaking out about the alleged crude attitude of some officers and the alleged lack of quick cooperation in solving the respective crimes.
There are also complaints about the absence of relevant resources, such as vehicles to respond to crimes and to conduct patrols, in addition to the lack of CCTV cameras, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering.
At a recent community meeting, several frustrated residents accused the police authorities of not being committed to the cause of reducing the spate of violence.
