VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSP #0131 0262014
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 262014Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6333
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000131 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2015 
TAGS: PGOV KCRM KCOR TD
SUBJECT: SPECIAL ANTI-CRIME UNIT OF T&T:  LOOKING BACK, 
LOOKING FORWARD 
 
 
Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Brigadier General Peter Joseph, Director of the 
Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) 
provided Poloff with a candid assessment of last year's 
performance in fighting crime, as well as a look forward to 
¶2006.  Joseph stated that 2005 was a year of building 
capacity, especially in the area of technology, and trying to 
forge a cohesive unit out of personnel who come from three 
distinct agencies:  the police force, the defense force and 
the prisons.  Simultaneously, he was asked to demonstrate 
SAUTT's effectiveness by delivering on arrests.  In Joseph's 
words, they were "asked to creep, walk and run at the same 
time."  In spite of many obstacles, Brigadier General Joseph 
believes that 2005 was a relatively good year for SAUTT, and 
that 2006 will be better. 
 
¶2.  (C) SAUTT is in phase two of a three-phase plan.  Phase 
one focused on establishing a basis for SAUTT and acquiring 
technology to help in the fight against crime.  Phase two 
focuses on training to raise the operational effectiveness of 
the personnel.  Phase three moves into developing a 
recruiting policy that focuses on university degree holders. 
 
¶3.  (C) As a part of SAUTT's training program, two police 
officers from the United Kingdom are slated to arrive in 
February to work directly with SAUTT agents.  They will 
provide training in DNA evidence collection and operational 
efficiency.  Joseph also intends to cast a wide net for 
training on all issues, looking for programs in Canada, the 
US, Israel and the U.K. as well as for trainers willing to 
come to Trinidad.  In January, the GOTT invited and paid for 
two Department of Justice ICITAP advisors to conduct a site 
assessment of SAUTT and the prisons system to determine 
exactly what type of training SAUTT will need to become more 
operationally effective.  The ICITAP report should be 
completed in March.  Joseph also spoke of plans to create a 
SAUTT training academy in the near future, likely 
incorporating ICITAP recommendations. 
 
¶4.  (C) In 2006, Joseph wants to make a perceptible impact on 
crime by reducing the murder rate and reducing kidnappings. 
He also wants to change the perception that people can walk 
around Trinidad carrying weapons without repercussions.  Part 
of achieving these goals will be to work closely with the 
police force and other security agencies to supplement their 
skills with SAUTT's abilities that focus on kidnapping and 
murders.  Joseph mentioned that SAUTT has a hard time working 
with the Organized Crime and Narcotics Unit, which causes 
some problems because of organizational turf wars. 
 
¶5.  (C) COMMENT:  Brigadier General Joseph seems to be a 
straight shooter who freely admits SAUTT's shortcomings and 
is unafraid to ask for assistance.  Initial ICITAP 
observations suggest that a comprehensive overhaul of SAUTT 
is necessary to convert it into an effective crime-fighting 
organization.  Post is encouraged that SAUTT is now in phase 
two of their three-phase plan and focusing on training rather 
than on procuring more technology.  In looking at the 
security apparatus of Trinidad and Tobago, one realizes that 
although they possess some of up-to-date technology, basic 
skills are sorely lacking.  Post believes that, due to the 
GOTT's ability to buy the toys they want (such as the 
much-maligned blimps and alleged attack helicopters), USG 
assistance should target building up basic skills and 
creating sustainable, self-perpetuating training programs in 
Trinidad and Tobago.  END COMMENT. 
AUSTIN