In a significant move to strengthen law enforcement capabilities, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar presided over a ceremonial handover of refurbished police vehicles to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Friday. The event, attended by Deputy Commissioner of Police Junior Benjamin and other TTPS officials, marked the initial phase of an ambitious vehicle restoration initiative.
Upon assuming office last April, the newly formed government uncovered a startling reality: approximately 500 police vehicles sat idle across various locations in Trinidad, rendered inoperative due to minor mechanical issues. Some vehicles had been non-functional for months, while others had been gathering dust for years, primarily requiring basic repairs such as tire replacements, brake fixes, and other manageable mechanical adjustments.
This chronic shortage of operational resources had severely compromised the police service’s effectiveness in addressing criminal activities throughout the nation. In response to this critical situation, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar issued directives for immediate action.
The Vehicle Maintenance Corporation (VMCOTT) launched an accelerated repair program that yielded remarkable results within just one week. The first batch of ten fully restored vehicles represents the initial installment of fifty vehicles scheduled to return to active service before the Christmas holiday period.
These revitalized vehicles will immediately reinforce frontline operations, enhancing the TTPS’s mobility and emergency response capabilities during the traditionally crime-prone Christmas season. During a parliamentary address on Friday evening, the Prime Minister revealed that the total value of the repaired vehicles amounts to $3 million, while the restoration costs totaled approximately $70,000—a fraction of their operational worth.
The government has reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to equipping the TTPS with necessary resources to ensure public safety. Beyond the anticipated delivery of forty additional refurbished vehicles before Christmas, projections indicate that over 100 more vehicles will be restored in the early new year. Simultaneously, VMCOTT is conducting similar repair operations for vehicles belonging to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to national security infrastructure enhancement.