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The Trinidad and Tobago police service is said to be corrupt.

This is the view of Independent Senator Deoroop Teemal, who also disagrees that there are a few bad apples in the service, saying there are too many.

Mr. Teemal was contributing to the budget debate in the upper house yesterday.

The senator said it appears the TTPS is untouchable as many are afraid to speak up on the issue.

Mr. Teemal said, the fact that the government has proposed a special elite vetted unit within the TTPS speak volumes.

He said, the members of the public are scared stiff to make reports for fear the officers have criminal links.

Senator Teemal said, many point to the few bad apples within the TTPS but the figure is very high.

He said, this issue needs to be tackled head-on.

The Attorney General Reginald Armour comes to the defence, of the Trinidad and Tobago police service.

He admonishes fellow senators to be fair when commenting on topics.

Yesterday AG Armour gave this advice as he responded to independent Senator Deoroop Teemal’s scathing remarks about the TTPS.

AG Armour said, while he acknowledges ills within the service, the recent work of the TTPS cannot be ignored.

The Attorney General also spoke of government’s approach in the crime fight.

He told the Upper House, his office is working on a comprehensive bail reformation legislative package to be soon introduced to the parliament.

He even spoke of coming legislation to address other serious crimes, including human trafficking.

During his contribution, AG Armour also pointed the senate to the many pieces of legislation introduced by his office, including the sexual offences amendment number three bill, 2021 and justices of the peace bill.

He was contributing to the budget debate.

Cocaine valued at one point four million dollars is seized in El Socorro.

A man and woman have been held.

The seizure was carried out on Monday this week.

Officers of the northern division task force area south, and the La Horquetta police made the bust during an anti-crime exercise.

Acting on information received the officers stopped a car with two occupants.

A search was conducted and 36 boxes of computer accessories were reportedly found.

Further checks are said, to have led to the discovery of one point three eight kilograms of cocaine.

The two occupants of the vehicle are a 58-year-old man from Diego Martin and a 37-year-old woman from petit valley.

The leader of the United National Congress, is denying claims she suffered a medical ailment.

She said, she did not suffer a stroke.

Yesterday rumors began circulating on social media, that the 71-year-old former Prime Minister had suffered a stroke and was hospitalized.

Speaking with the Express Newspaper yesterday, in a brief telephone interview Kamla Persad Bissessar dismissed the rumours.

She noted Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, was back in Trinidad and Tobago after a summit meeting in Canada. So she is hoping for a reply as she noted that crime continues to distress the nation.

Mrs. Persad-Bissessar said, she is healthy, strong and lives another day to continue fighting for the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

She said, she had flown to Florida to visit her family and returned yesterday.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley tours the construction site of the near completed central block of the Port of Spain general hospital.

The topping off ceremony was held yesterday.

Dr. Rowley told the ceremony all aspects of the project are on target.

The Prime Minister said the hospital is a significant addition to the capital.

The Prime Minister and the health minister toured the 13-floor building.

Terrence Deyalsingh said, the project is on time and within budget

He is promising a completed central block at the Port of Spain general hospital by 2025.

Chief medical officer at the hospital Shaheeba Barrow said, a range of services will be offered at the new facility.

She wants Trinidad and Tobago professionals and specialists abroad to return home and offer their services.

Two employees of the Water and Sewerage Authority are involved in deadly situations.

Kern Etienne died, after a worksite accident in San Fernando yesterday.

It is reported that Mr. Etienne was conducting emergency repairs on a sewer pipeline along the Rienzi Kirton highway when the structures above him caved in.

The fallen debris trapped him.

He was eventually removed from under the debris, and taken to the San Fernando General Hospital.

Mr. Etienne died while undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile in another incident, a WASA employee has been taken into police custody and charged after a deadly accident in Tobago.

The man is said, to have failed a breathalyzer test, after the accident on the Claude Noel Highway near Shaw Park last Saturday night.

The fatality is 43-year-old Lavorne Dick.

Elizabeth Williams reports.

The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce is warning of a vicious cycle developing, where there is a decrease in disposable income.

The T&T chamber wants government and state entities to carefully review the impact of, the recommendations being addressed in the context of all citizens.

The chamber says, the series of issues includes increased fuel prices, increased electricity rates, property tax and overall inflation.

Yesterday the Regulated Industries Commission presented its recommendation for increases in electricity.

The increases range from 15% – 64%.

In a release, the chamber warns that these decisions also adversely impact companies’ ability to purchase goods and reinvest, and could lead to a further surge in crime.

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley makes a request for help from his Canadian counterpart, as he admits the crime situation in Caricom had worsened.

Dr. Rowley met on Wednesday with Justin Trudeau at the beginning of the Canada Caricom summit in Ottawa, Canada.

The Prime Minister sought Canada’s assistance in the area of police training, to achieve effective policing; in securing small craft to patrol the coastal areas; and for improved cyber security.

As he addressed the summit he said, he was sorry to report that in the Caricom region there is a worsening violent crime situation.

Dr. Rowley said, there is need for improved training and more effective policing, and this is an area Canada can help with, as its management of policing is something quite significant.

Dr. Rowley said, that the criminal element engaged in this violence using arms and ammunition, has grown its ability faster than the police have been able to cope with it.