Commissioner Allister Guevarro defends emergency leave

Trinidad and Tobago Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has defended his recent absence from the jurisdiction, stating he followed all established protocols after being granted five days of emergency leave by the Minister of Homeland Security. Guevarro indicated that information received from the Strategic Services Agency and the head of the Special Branch on August 10 prompted his request to travel abroad.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who chairs the National Security Council, declined to disclose the specific circumstances of the leave, citing that “confidential national security matters would not be disclosed publicly.” She confirmed that the Commissioner followed required procedures and that she was briefed both before his departure and upon his return.

Guevarro addressed public speculation regarding the appointment of an Acting Commissioner of Police, noting that such appointments are governed by law and fall under the mandate of the Police Service Commission rather than the TTPS. He reassured the public that the police service remained stable and operational during his absence due to the institution's robust hierarchical framework.