The Police Commissioner insists that TTPS operations under the State of Emergency will be “fair” and “responsible”.

Declared yesterday, the SoE grants additional powers to police officers, who will now be able to search premises, vehicles, vessels and persons without a warrant, and to arrest individuals on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities.

There have since been concerns from citizens regarding the abuse of these powers.

At a media briefing this afternoon, Top Cop Erla Christopher says officers will be briefed on the legal parameters of the SoE, with operations to be “carefully crafted and well supervised”.

She adds that while the public will be inconvenienced at times the SoE is perhaps the “best opportunity” to have criminals on the run.

The Commissioner also revealed that 46 persons would have been detained since the start of the SoE.