Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTOFSPAIN131
2006-01-26 20:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Of Spain
Cable title:  

SPECIAL ANTI-CRIME UNIT OF T&T: LOOKING BACK,

Tags:  PGOV KCRM KCOR TD 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSP #0131 0262014
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 262014Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6333
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000131 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KCOR TD
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ANTI-CRIME UNIT OF T&T: LOOKING BACK,
LOOKING FORWARD


Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000131

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KCOR TD
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ANTI-CRIME UNIT OF T&T: LOOKING BACK,
LOOKING FORWARD


Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) Brigadier General Peter Joseph, Director of the
Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT)
provided Poloff with a candid assessment of last year's
performance in fighting crime, as well as a look forward to

2006. Joseph stated that 2005 was a year of building
capacity, especially in the area of technology, and trying to
forge a cohesive unit out of personnel who come from three
distinct agencies: the police force, the defense force and
the prisons. Simultaneously, he was asked to demonstrate
SAUTT's effectiveness by delivering on arrests. In Joseph's
words, they were "asked to creep, walk and run at the same
time." In spite of many obstacles, Brigadier General Joseph
believes that 2005 was a relatively good year for SAUTT, and
that 2006 will be better.


2. (C) SAUTT is in phase two of a three-phase plan. Phase
one focused on establishing a basis for SAUTT and acquiring
technology to help in the fight against crime. Phase two
focuses on training to raise the operational effectiveness of
the personnel. Phase three moves into developing a
recruiting policy that focuses on university degree holders.


3. (C) As a part of SAUTT's training program, two police
officers from the United Kingdom are slated to arrive in
February to work directly with SAUTT agents. They will
provide training in DNA evidence collection and operational
efficiency. Joseph also intends to cast a wide net for
training on all issues, looking for programs in Canada, the
US, Israel and the U.K. as well as for trainers willing to
come to Trinidad. In January, the GOTT invited and paid for
two Department of Justice ICITAP advisors to conduct a site
assessment of SAUTT and the prisons system to determine
exactly what type of training SAUTT will need to become more
operationally effective. The ICITAP report should be
completed in March. Joseph also spoke of plans to create a
SAUTT training academy in the near future, likely
incorporating ICITAP recommendations.


4. (C) In 2006, Joseph wants to make a perceptible impact on
crime by reducing the murder rate and reducing kidnappings.
He also wants to change the perception that people can walk
around Trinidad carrying weapons without repercussions. Part
of achieving these goals will be to work closely with the
police force and other security agencies to supplement their
skills with SAUTT's abilities that focus on kidnapping and
murders. Joseph mentioned that SAUTT has a hard time working
with the Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit, which causes
some problems because of organizational turf wars.


5. (C) COMMENT: Brigadier General Joseph seems to be a
straight shooter who freely admits SAUTT's shortcomings and
is unafraid to ask for assistance. Initial ICITAP
observations suggest that a comprehensive overhaul of SAUTT
is necessary to convert it into an effective crime-fighting
organization. Post is encouraged that SAUTT is now in phase
two of their three-phase plan and focusing on training rather
than on procuring more technology. In looking at the
security apparatus of Trinidad and Tobago, one realizes that
although they possess some of up-to-date technology, basic
skills are sorely lacking. Post believes that, due to the
GOTT's ability to buy the toys they want (such as the
much-maligned blimps and alleged attack helicopters),USG
assistance should target building up basic skills and
creating sustainable, self-perpetuating training programs in
Trinidad and Tobago. END COMMENT.
AUSTIN