PUT DOWN THE GUN

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has defended his officers’ use of force after a report showed police were involved in 60 fatal shootings over a one-year period, the highest annual total recorded in more than a decade.

The figure was disclosed in the Police Complaints Authority’s (PCA) 15th annual report, which covered the period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The report, recently laid in Parliament, said the PCA initiated investigations into 60 fatal police shootings during that period.

Of those investigations, 16 reports were forwarded to the office of the Commissioner of Police, eight to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and five to both offices. In 31 cases, investigators said there was insufficient evidence to warrant further action.

The PCA also completed 44 investigations from previous reporting periods. Twenty-five cases, or 57%, were closed with no further action. Eleven were referred to the Commissioner of Police for possible disciplinary proceedings, three were referred to the DPP for possible criminal or coronial proceedings, and five were sent to both offices.

The report said 393 fatal police shootings were recorded between October 1, 2014, and September 30, 2025.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on Thursday, Guevarro expressed sadness over the loss of life, but argued that many fatal encounters occurred because suspects chose to confront officers rather than surrender.

“I have constantly come to the public and begged them and asked them, put down your firearms, call the police, tell them where it is,” Guevarro said.

“It’s better to find the firearm than try to engage my officers with the firearm.”

Guevarro pointed to several recent incidents which he said demonstrated the dangers officers faced while carrying out their duties.

Among them was the June 11 police shooting of Demani “Manny” Lewis in San Fernando. Guevarro said he had reviewed videos showing Lewis openly carrying a firearm and allegedly firing a shot into the air before police moved to apprehend him.

“I was like… we in the Wild West,” he said.

Guevarro said police officers moved to apprehend the suspect after becoming aware of the videos.

However, he said the encounter did not end peacefully.

“Unfortunately, this situation ended up where the gentleman did not surrender peacefully,” the Commissioner said. “Sadly, he went to meet his maker. Condolences to his family.”

Guevarro argued that incidents such as these demonstrated why officers often found themselves confronting armed suspects.

“How is it so hard to believe that men confront officers with firearms when you are showing me blatantly in the public that you’re walking around with a gun?” he asked.

The Commissioner also referred to a recent home invasion carried out last month in Central Trinidad.

This led to a confrontation with law enforcement that left four alleged members of the “Tall Boots Crew” dead and two others in custody.

Police said the gang had been terrorising residents in Cunupia, Chaguanas, Freeport and as far north as Las Lomas over a six-week period.

Police believe the group was responsible for approximately 24 reported home invasions since late March.

According to Guevarro, surveillance footage showed armed men entering a residence and assaulting an elderly occupant during the robbery.

He said the incident later triggered a major police operation in Central Trinidad on Point Fortin Borough Day.

The Commissioner explained that officers spent several hours searching a heavily forested area where suspects had fled.

Violent encounters

“It played out in an entire half-day of police having to root them out from inside of a forested area in Central,” he said.

Guevarro said some of the suspects engaged police officers during the operation and were fatally shot, while others surrendered and were taken into custody.

“Several of them engaged the officers. They were shot and they were killed,” he said.

“But at the same time, the others surrendered.”

The Commissioner argued that the differing outcomes illustrated the choices suspects faced when confronted by law enforcement.

“Some are in custody, and some are pushing trees for God,” he said.

While expressing sympathy to the families of those who died, Guevarro maintained that individuals involved in criminal activity should reconsider their actions before situations escalate into violent encounters.

The Commissioner once again appealed to those involved in crime to change their lifestyles and seek guidance through faith and positive influences.

“I again will make a plea to the members of the public who are engaged or feel that this is the only way that they can go through life with criminality,” he said.

“Turn your lives away from a life of crime. Give your life to Jesus, Allah, Krishna….Get some religious teachings. Put them into your life.”

Guevarro said the TTPS would continue encouraging individuals to surrender illegal weapons and comply with police instructions, stressing that peaceful resolutions remained the preferred outcome whenever officers responded to potentially dangerous situations.

Trinidad Express