The promotion processes within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) remain in a state of uncertainty as appellate courts deliberate on two separate cases involving senior and junior officers. On November 18, Justices of Appeal Prakash Moosai, Mira Dean-Armorer, and Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell reserved their decision on an appeal challenging a 2024 High Court ruling. The court had found that the TTPS unlawfully used a departmental order in promotion assessments for at least 30 constables and unreasonably delayed interviews for advancement to corporal. A separate appeal, impacting inspectors seeking promotion to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), has been adjourned indefinitely. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro acknowledged the adverse effects of these stalled promotions in a November 19 media statement. He emphasized the loss of hundreds of years of combined expertise and millions of dollars in succession planning investments, as experienced officers reach mandatory retirement age without promotion opportunities. Guevarro expressed empathy for affected officers and citizens, stating that the nation is deprived of their skills and experience during a critical time. Despite the challenges, he reaffirmed the TTPS’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and justice. The legal disputes stem from a 2024 ruling by Justice Westmin James, who condemned the Promotion Advisory Board for improperly applying criteria outside the Police Service Regulations and delaying interviews for over a decade. James ordered the board to create a revised Order of Merit List using lawful criteria and awarded damages to affected officers. The ongoing appeals continue to disrupt the TTPS’s ability to address staffing and leadership needs effectively.