DCP Suzette Martin says a local family seeking witness protection does not qualify for the programme.

In a statement, DCP Martin said a comprehensive assessment determined that the family, while “undoubtedly impacted by ongoing family disputes”, “did not meet the established criteria required”.

She said the strict legal and operational frameworks for witness protection include an assessment of the proximity and severity of the threat and/or risk, the relevance and reliability of the testimony to the judicial process, and whether alternative safety measures could reasonably ensure the person’s protection.

DCP Martin added that the threat level identified did not satisfy the threshold for full protection under the programme.

She claimed however that alternative measures are in place to ensure the family’s safety and security.

103.1FM News understands the statement relates to the family of the South East Port of Spain student who was attacked in a school bathroom recently.

The girl’s mother claims her family received death threats following the incident and were being victimized by certain police personnel.