TRINIDAD INL CANINE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 000256

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPT FOR INL/LP, WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR KCRM TD
SUBJECT: TRINIDAD INL CANINE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW


SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (U) On June 6, the Chaguaramas K-9 Academy hosted its sixth
graduation ceremony. Thirteen dogs and their handlers, representing
the Customs and Excise and Prisons Division, demonstrated skills
learned during the previous four months. The audience of law
enforcement officials, family and media witnessed the dogs
completing obedience, agility and tactical exercises. In addition
to detecting marijuana and locating "escapees" hidden in the brush,
two dogs subdued an uncooperative assailant with a firearm in
several mock drills.


2. (SBU) Prisons Commissioner, John Rougier was enthusiastic
about the potential of the division's seven dogs for crowd control,
narcotics detection, interception of escapees and detection of
illegal activities by both inmates and rogue officers. He stated
that, "the intensive training given to both dogs and their handlers
alike gives them the discipline needed to handle the work they have
to do." This was the first time the Prisons Division sponsored
canine units. Rougier indicated to PolOff that he intended to
purchase an additional ten dogs.


3. (U) Comptroller for Customs and Excise Fitzroy John added that
the K-9 Academy provided standardized training and a synergy between
the law enforcement agencies, which is not typically customary in
Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). He stated that Customs continues to
participate in the program because it is conducted according to
international standards.


4. (SBU) Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF) representatives
also attended the ceremony. Anthony Piegaro, K-9 Academy director,
privately told PolOff that the TTDF had received approval for
developing a TTDF tactical canine unit. Piegaro also commented
that, for the first time, the class included female officers.
Furthermore, the female barracks was now completed, which would
expand the handlers candidate pool.


5. (U) Since the inception of the K-9 Academy in 2005, 36 dogs
and handlers have graduated. In addition to the Customs and Excise
and Prisons Divisions, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Services
(TTPS) regularly support this program. Dogs from this academy are
directly responsible for the seizure of over 1,000 kilos of illegal
drugs and 500 arrests. While completing the most recent four-month
training program, several dogs participated in an interdiction in
Tobago, resulting in the seizure of three and a half kilos of
cocaine. The K-9 Academy continues to stand out as an example of a
successful INL-funded bilateral program. After INL provided initial
support as well as four explosive detection dogs, the Government of
Trinidad and Tobago has maintained the program and has utilized it
to promote interagency cooperation among various law enforcement
agencies.


6. (SBU) Comment. The K-9 Academy has been a very positive
INL-funded program and a model for inter-agency cooperation within
the GOTT. Although the GOTT was initially skeptical due to poor
performance and lack of results from the previous Caroni Dog
Kennels, the Chaguaramas K-9 Academy, under the directorship of
Piegaro, has become a valued resource for various local law
enforcement agencies. Indeed, one of the canines that "graduated"
on June 6 was involved in a June 9 port seizure of 96 heroin packets
and 20 cocaine packets hidden in a shipping container.


7. (SBU) Former Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) for Tobago
Bastien and current Tobago ACP Fredericks (also the former Director
of the Organized Crimes and Narcotics Bureau),have requested
assistance in establishing a kennel on Tobago and expanding the K-9
Academy. LEWG members concur that interdictions would increase if
there was a permanent canine presence on the sister isle. However,
with Piegaro's contract set to expire in October 2008, and
negotiations stalled due to personality conflicts between Piegaro
and certain TTPS officials, Post is anxious to first see a contract
extension that includes a transitional plan for directorship prior
to recommending a Tobago K-9 site. END COMMENT.

Austin