Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander says government has no intention of introducing legislation to restrict the public’s ability to release of publish footage of police-involved incidents.
Speaking in the Senate, Mr Alexander said that the public is strongly advised to first submit such footage to authorities to assist with official investigations.
“It is not the government’s intention to introduce legislation prohibiting, regulating or otherwise altering the public’s ability to release, share or publish footage of police-involved incidents,” he said.
“The government remains committed to transparency, accountability and the rule of law. In this regard, it is strongly advised that any such footage be provided, in the first instance, to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to assist in the investigation, and the conduct of official investigations,” Minister Alexander added.
He said this process insured that evidence is properly secured, assessed, and preserved in accordance with established legal and procedural standards.
The Homeland Security Minister also outlined the TTPS’s policy on the use and review of private CCTV footage in investigations into incidents involving the performance of policing activity.
He said footage can be obtained in three ways—voluntarily from private individuals, through written consent, or by warrant in cases of reluctance or non-cooperation.
