DCP Junior Benjamin Discusses New Protest Restrictions

Added: 2026-05-31

[00:00:00]Well, joining us this morning to discuss this is Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Junior Benjamin. Good morning, Deputy Commissioner.

[00:00:08]>> A pleasant morning to you, ma'am, and to all your listeners. A pleasant morning as well.

[00:00:13]>> Now, can you first explain the purpose behind the new emergency powers order and why was it considered necessary at this time?

[00:00:23]>> Well, thank you for that question. U let me just say um the Trinat police service we have to deal with at least two important what I would say constitutional interest as it relates to policing Trinidad and Tobago.

[00:00:41]One of those things has to do with uh the right to protest and the freedom of expression of individuals and citizens of Trina Tobago and that of the state's responsibility to maintain public safety and national security as well as continuity in our critical services within Trinidad and Tobago. It is based on that that I believe and I am of the firm opinion that the decision was made to ensure while persons have the right to protest that they do not seek to infringe the rights of the persons who have critical services to do within Trinidad and Tobago so that we can ensure greater harmony uh public safety and above all national security of this land.

[00:01:32]Now, Deputy Commissioner, which locations are specifically covered under the 500 meter restrictions, and how will members of the public know if they're entering a prohibited area?

[00:01:43]>> Well, first and foremost, uh it is published uh in the legal notice 367 uh of the uh emergency powers regulation 2006 and it is open for all persons to make sure that they you know have this information. It is not hidden. It is there and therefore even if uh you do not know ignorance of the law will be of absolutely no excuse. But I can share as well uh these places so that persons can be aware and some of these places or these places as far as the schedule is concerned is the parliament of the republic of tran Tobago the red house abomi street porter Spain uh we have the office of the president of the republic of tran Tobago. uh the office of the prime minister, we have the diplomatic center as well as the office of the attorney general uh Capelio uh sorry government campus plaza corner of London and Richmond Street Porter Spain in the ministry of finance. We have the ministry of defense. We also have the ministry of homeland security as well as the headquarters of Trinant Tobago police service as well as all police stations. We have the headquarters of the prison service and all prisons detention centers in Trinidad and Tobago. We also have the headquarters of the Tran Tobago Defense Force as well as all army base and back and the office of the director of public persecution, the Paku International Airport, the ANR Robinson International Airport and the Port Authority of Trinidad Tobago.

[00:03:20]Now, uh, Deputy Commissioner, can you confirm for us, does this order mean all public protests are banned or are demonstrations still allowed in designated areas outside of the restricted zones?

[00:03:32]>> Uh, well, clearly what we are saying is that certainly not all protests are banned. We are saying that even in these critical infrastructure uh we are saying that there is a distance that persons uh would not be able to have these protests to ensure that uh persons are able to travel in and out of these places uh without any problems in terms of creating any uh problems in terms of public safety. So therefore uh the protest could happen but the distance must be at least 500 meters away from these areas and therefore a person can be uh able to do their protest and even when they are doing that we are asking persons to stay within the regulation.

[00:04:19]>> Now the prime minister has spoken about concerns surrounding tensions directed at law enforcement and officials within the justice system. So now from the TTPs perspective, how important is it to you know maintain calm and respect for the rule of law during this period?

[00:04:35]I think that is very very critical at this time because you see when we fail to um really maintain that level of calm emotions can fly and let's be real on either side that of the citizens who are doing the protest as well as the police service and persons who are there to uphold the law and therefore it's important that both uh the police of officers as well as the citizens of Trantgo are exercising exercise that level of calm because that will bring a greater level of stability to our country and will really uh get rid of the division that is seeking to be created here especially uh when we all seeking to ensure a better Trinidad and Tobago. So I would really uh like to suggest and even you know highlight the importance for all both parties to really respect the rule of law. This is a situation that is going to be before the court. Let the court uh have its rightful say in the matter and let us all be guided by whatever that the outcome will be.

[00:05:42]>> All right. Thank you very much uh deputy commissioner for joining us this morning and uh helping us to understand all of this you know telling us what this means going forward. Have a great day and we'll talk to you soon.

[00:05:53]>> All right. Thank you very much and all the best to you and to your listening order audience at this time.

[00:05:59]>> All right. Thank you.