Hours before the state of emergency (SoE) was set to expire, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday unveiled legislation—the Special Operations Bill (SOB), 2026—aimed at continuing targeted operations against gangs, guns and drugs.
The bill is similar to the Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) Bill but contains a number of amendments.
Unlike ZOSO, this bill does not require a three-fifths majority vote for passage and therefore can be passed with Government’s simple majority.
Persad-Bissessar, in a statement to the Parliament yesterday, reiterated her warning to criminals, financiers and facilitators that there will be “no sanctuary” for them as the state of emergency (SoE) comes to an end today.
“The full lawful power of the State is coming for you,” Persad-Bissessar declared.
The Prime Minister outlined the next stage of her Government’s fight against violent crime, saying the expiration of the SoE will not be allowed to create an opportunity for gangs, gunrunners and drug traffickers to regain ground.
The proposed legislation will establish policing districts and provide a permanent legal framework for targeted operations against violent crime, gang activity and illegal weapons.
Last week, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander told Parliament that the ZOSO Bill would return to Parliament.
Yesterday, however, Persad-Bissessar outlined key elements of the SOB, which carries similar architecture to the ZOSO Bill but contains fundamental changes.
The Prime Minister said following consultations with the National Security Council, her Government intends to bring the SOB, 2026 before Parliament.
Persad-Bissessar said every citizen has the right to live peacefully, operate a business without extortion, and send a child to school without fear.
“No family should be driven from its home, and no geographic location should be surrendered to gangs,” she said as Government members thumped their desks in support.
Enhanced search powers and curfews
The Prime Minister said the bill will provide the targeted framework needed to continue the fight after the SoE ends.
It will establish policing districts, in which police officers may conduct special operations, supported by the Defence Force where necessary, she said.
The Prime Minister said the Commissioner of Police will appoint a head of Special Operations for each district.
The Chief of Defence Staff will appoint a head of Military Assistance wherever Defence Force support is required, she added.
“Where violent crime, gang activity or illegal weapons pose a serious threat and ordinary policing is insufficient, a defined area may be temporarily closed,” she said.
She explained that within that area, the authorities may establish cordons, impose curfews, regulate entry and departure, and exercise enhanced powers of search, seizure, arrest and detention, subject to judicial oversight.
“Let me make it very clear: these measures will target criminals, not punish law-abiding residents. When gangs impose illegal curfews, extort businesses, recruit children, and drive families from their homes, they attempt to replace the authority of the State with the authority of the criminal gun,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the bill will give the protective services the lawful power to break that control, restore public safety, and return these areas to the people who live there.
The proposed SOB, 2026 will allow the protective services to preserve the gains made through focused, accountable operations without relying upon a nationwide SoE, she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the bill will strengthen the ability of the protective services to enter the areas in which these networks operate, seize their drugs and weapons, arrest their operatives, and break their control.
At the same time, the Government is working with local, regional and international law enforcement agencies to pursue those who finance and facilitate them, she said.
No ‘two-tiered’ justice system
The Prime Minister reiterated that there will be no two-tiered justice system.
“Criminals operating from Westmoorings, St Clair or Federation Park will be treated in the same manner as those operating from Laventille, Arima or Siparia, or from anywhere else,” she said.
She warned that money will no longer buy immunity and status will not prevent investigation.
“Political connections will not provide protection,” she said.
The Prime Minister said her Government will dismantle the two-tiered justice system that flourished under the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) regime.
Persad-Bissessar further assured that the strong operational powers contained in the legislation will be matched by firm safeguards for law-abiding citizens.
She said under the SOB, police officers conducting special operations and Defence Force members providing military assistance must be trained in human rights, the lawful use of force, engagement with residents, and conflict de-escalation.
“Within closed areas, officers must use body-worn cameras, register weapons, and formally record complaints,” she said.
She said detainees must receive medical care and visitation rights, while enhanced powers of search, arrest and detention will remain subject to judicial oversight.
The bill will also require joint protocols governing co-operation between the Police Service and the Defence Force, as well as separate standard operating procedures for each service, she said.
Annual report
The Prime Minister said monthly reports must be submitted to the Prime Minister and the ministers responsible for the Police Service and Defence.
She must also lay an annual report before Parliament, she said.
She said the bill therefore combines strong operational powers with clear protections for citizens and parliamentary accountability.
Persad-Bissessar said these provisions directly address concerns raised about the previous legislation.
The Prime Minister also put the Opposition on notice, saying the PNM can no longer hide behind their objections to ZOSO.
She said the legislation was about the rights of the people who have borne the burden of violent crime: grieving parents, families terrorised in their homes, businesses facing extortion, and young people threatened by gangs.
Persad-Bissessar ended with a warning to criminals, their financiers and facilitators that the expiration of the SoE should not be interpreted as an easing of the Government’s crime-fighting efforts.
She declared: “To the criminals, their financiers and facilitators, I issue this warning: the State of Emergency may end, but there will be no sanctuary for you. We will find you, dismantle your networks, seize your drugs, guns and criminal proceeds, and bring you before the courts. Your money, status and political connections will not save you. The full lawful power of the State is coming for you.”
The bill is expected to be debated in Parliament tomorrow.
Trinidad Express
