Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service
The Logo of the TTPS
AbbreviationT.T.P.S
MottoTo Protect and Serve with P.R.I.D.E.
Agency overview
Formed1592
Preceding agency
  • Trinidad and Tobago Police Force
Dissolved1966
Employees7,884 Regular Officers, 3,005 Special Reserve Police, 530 Civil Servants, 585 Civilian employees
Annual budget$2.6 billion TTD (2025)
Legal personalityStatutory body
Jurisdictional structure
National agency
(Operations jurisdiction)
Trinidad and Tobago
Operations jurisdictionTrinidad and Tobago
Size1,981 square miles (5,130 km2)
Population1,310,000 (January, 2011)
Legal jurisdictionRepublic of Trinidad and Tobago
Governing bodyGovernment of Trinidad And Tobago
Constituting instruments
  • Police Service Act Chapter 15:01
  • Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Section 123A
General nature
Operational structure
Overseen byThe Police Service Commission
HeadquartersPolice Administration Building, Edward and Sackville Street, Port of Spain
Police Officers7,884 Regular Officers, 3,005 Special Reserve Police
Civil Servants, Civilian employees530 Civil Servants, 585 Civilian employees
Ministers responsible
  • Hon Marvin Gonzales MP, Minister of National Security
  • Hon Keith Scotland SC MP, Minister in Ministry Of National Security
Agency executive
  • Junior Benjamin, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Acting Commissioner of Police
Parent agencyMinistry of National Security
Child agencies
  • Special Reserve Police
  • Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service
Facilities
Police Stations84
Notables
People
  • Gary Griffith, Commissioner of Police, for Becoming Commissioner of Police after being a Minister of National Security
  • Roger Alexander, Senior Superintendent of Police, for being Former host of Police Service television show Beyond The Tape
  • Randolph Burroughs M.O.M. TC, Commissioner of Police, for being awarded both the Medal of Merit and the Trinity Cross
Programme
  • Police Youth Club (P.Y.C)
Award
  • Police Service awarded the Trinity Cross 1991, For the Preservation of Democracy and Constitutional Government
Website
www.ttps.gov.tt

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service or TTPS is the primary law enforcement agency of Trinidad and Tobago. It has been in operation for over 200 years.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is the national law enforcement agency of Trinidad and Tobago, responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting life and property, and preventing and detecting crime. Operating under the Police Service Act Chapter 15:01, the TTPS functions as both a civil and para-military body, structured into various divisions, branches, squads, and units deployed across the islands. Its mandate encompasses a broad range of duties, including enforcing laws, apprehending offenders, and ensuring public safety, with a focus on community policing initiatives and modernization efforts to combat contemporary crime trends. The TTPS works in conjunction with other law enforcement bodies, such as the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Municipal Police Service. Citizens utilize emergency numbers such as 911 and 999 to contact the Police Service.

The TTPS is under the Ministry of National Security, who provides governmental oversight and administrative support. The Minister of National Security is Marvin Gonzales MP who was sworn into the cabinet of the new Prime Minister Stuart Young on 17 March 2025. The ministry also has Keith Scotland SC as Minister in the Ministry of National Security who retains his post from his initial appointment by former PM Keith Rowley. At the time Prime Minister Keith Rowley, said MP for Port of Spain South Keith Scotland will be responsible for police matters.

Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher was suspended by the Police Service Commission on January 31, 2025. DCP Junior Benjamin was confirmed by Parliament to act in the office of Commissioner of Police on February 5, 2025.