Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro has expressed strong support for the ongoing detention of 98 individuals under preventative detention orders (PDOs) during Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency (SoE). The SoE, declared on July 18 and extended twice, has led to a notable decline in crime rates, with homicides dropping by 42%, violent crimes by 19%, and other serious offenses by 11%. Guevarro emphasized that the detainees, including a police officer and a prison officer, will remain in custody as long as the SoE persists, though he acknowledged their eventual release is inevitable. The CoP highlighted the effectiveness of the SoE in curbing crime but clarified that PDOs are preventive measures, not indictments of criminal activity. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar assured that detainees retain access to justice, including the right to appeal to a tribunal or court. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin reported over 2,000 charges filed since the SoE began, underscoring the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies. Guevarro urged public cooperation, warning that silence perpetuates crime, and emphasized the need for sustained vigilance to maintain the progress achieved.