Senior Reporter
While two security analysts have endorsed the continued tenure of Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro as he embarks on his second year in office, they insist that sustainability will be key to maintaining the gains achieved during his first year.
Criminologist Dr Randy Seepersad described the significant reduction in violent crime as the strongest indicator of progress under Guevarro’s leadership, while regional security expert Dr Garvin Heerah said, “From a regional security perspective, the Commissioner must first be commended for several positive developments achieved thus far.”
Reflecting on the past 12 months, Heerah said there had been visible efforts to strengthen operational policing initiatives, enhance intelligence-led policing, target gang-related activities, improve inter-agency collaboration, and modernise certain areas of policing infrastructure and technology.
He said the TTPS appeared to be moving in the right direction, noting that increased national conversations surrounding crime reduction strategies, community engagement and strategic policing reforms indicated efforts were being made to reposition the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) as a more intelligence-driven and accountable organisation.
UWI head: Declines tied to CoP’s leadership
Seepersad, head of the Criminology Department at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine campus, said Guevarro’s success was underscored by the sharp decline in murders recorded over the past year, reversing the alarming upward trend observed in recent years.
“While critics argue that the decrease was heavily influenced by the State of Emergency measures implemented during the period, the effectiveness of those measures depended greatly on the manner in which the Police Service was managed and deployed under Guevarro’s command,” he said.
Seepersad noted that the coordinated use of intelligence-led policing, targeted anti-gang operations, increased visibility in crime hotspots, and the tactical disruption of organised criminal networks demonstrated a level of operational control and discipline that was critical to the successes achieved during the State of Emergency (SoE).
“The State of Emergency alone could not have produced results without prudent leadership, decisive deployment strategies, and sustained pressure on criminal elements by the TTPS,” he insisted.
Seepersad added that Guevarro had also distinguished himself through a more assertive and operational style of leadership.
“His tenure has projected an image of stronger command presence within the Police Service, with greater emphasis placed on intelligence gathering, tactical readiness, and proactive policing.”
The UWI academic said supporters had credited Guevarro with restoring a sense of direction and urgency to the TTPS at a time when public frustration over violent crime was at its peak. He also argued that the Commissioner’s background in intelligence and special operations had shaped a policing strategy focused on anticipating criminal activity rather than merely reacting to it.
According to Seepersad, this has contributed to a growing perception that the police service is once again taking a more aggressive stance against gangs, illegal firearms and organised criminal activity.
However, he cautioned that despite these gains, public confidence in policing and the wider criminal justice system remained mixed, and the long-term sustainability of recent improvements was still uncertain.
“Many citizens continue to fear violent crime and remain unconvinced that the underlying causes of criminality—such as gang recruitment, illegal firearm trafficking, weak prosecution systems, and community distrust—have been fundamentally addressed,” he said.
While Guevarro had shown measurable success in operational crime suppression, Seepersad argued that deeper institutional reform within both the TTPS and the country remained a work in progress.
He suggested that any comprehensive approach to crime reduction must extend beyond the police service and involve multiple ministries and sectors.
Nevertheless, he concluded: “Approaching his first anniversary in office, Guevarro’s leadership can reasonably be viewed as effective and results-oriented.”
Regional expert: More improvement needed
Heerah said any assessment of the Commissioner’s performance should be conducted through a balanced, professional, objective and evidence-based framework that carefully evaluates both achievements and shortcomings.
Such an exercise, he argued, should move beyond political narratives, emotional reactions, isolated incidents and headline-driven public perceptions, focusing instead on measurable leadership impact, operational effectiveness, institutional transformation, public confidence and national security outcomes.
Describing the office of Commissioner of Police as one of the most critical positions within Trinidad and Tobago’s national security architecture, Heerah noted that the role involved not only fighting crime but also leading a complex institution operating under immense pressure from organised criminal networks, gang violence, transnational threats, public scrutiny, technological change, and growing demands for accountability and professionalism.
As such, he said, any meaningful assessment must take into account both the realities and constraints under which the TTPS currently operates.
“While progress is evident in some areas, significant opportunities remain for improvement if long-term public confidence and institutional transformation are to be achieved,” he said.
According to Heerah, one of the most critical areas requiring continued strengthening is media management and public communication.
“In today’s environment, policing is not only operational, but psychological and informational,” he explained.
“Public confidence is heavily influenced by communication strategy, transparency, consistency of messaging, and the ability of leadership to reassure citizens during periods of crisis or national concern.”
He urged the TTPS to continue improving its communication architecture, including crisis communication protocols, public engagement mechanisms and the timely dissemination of accurate information.
“Greater visibility, transparency and accountability from leadership can significantly improve public trust and reduce misinformation, fear and speculation,” he advised.
Internally, Heerah said, the management and transformation of the TTPS remained equally important. While infrastructure upgrades and technological modernisation had shown signs of progress, he said sustained attention must be given to fleet management, operational resources, digital policing capabilities, recruitment, retention, promotions and officer welfare.
He also linked officer morale directly to operational efficiency and professionalism.
“Officers must feel supported, fairly treated, adequately equipped, and professionally valued,” he said.
“Leadership must therefore continue focusing on organisational culture, accountability, training, succession planning, and restoring pride and confidence within the institution itself.”
He also stressed that the public increasingly expects not only arrests, but successful convictions and the visible dismantling of organised criminal structures.
“Equally important is the broader question of whether citizens genuinely feel safer,” Heerah said.
“Public perception of safety remains one of the most powerful indicators of policing effectiveness.”
“Even where statistical improvements may exist, fear of crime, violent incidents, and community insecurity continue to affect national morale and public confidence.”
He urged Guevarro to remain committed to strengthening public trust, enhancing intelligence capabilities, improving internal morale, accelerating investigations and prosecutions, and modernising the TTPS into a highly professional, accountable and technologically capable law enforcement institution.
“The Commissioner has laid important foundations, but maintaining momentum, addressing institutional weaknesses, and delivering measurable long-term outcomes will ultimately define the legacy and effectiveness of the present policing leadership.”
