Guevarro says emergency travel followed procedure; refuses to disclose reason

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro says he followed established procedures when he took five days of emergency leave earlier this month to travel outside Trinidad and Tobago, but he remains tight-lipped about the reason for the trip.

In a statement, Guevarro said he applied to Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander on August 10 for emergency leave after receiving information from the Director of the Strategic Services Agency and the Head of Special Branch.

He said the minister approved the request, and he was subsequently informed that the relevant correspondence had been forwarded to the Police Service Commission.

“I wish to reassure you that I followed the requirements of the established process, and I breached no protocols or policies,” Guevarro said.

His absence had sparked public discussion, including questions surrounding the appointment of an Acting Commissioner of Police.

Guevarro said the appointment process did not fall within the remit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service or the Commissioner of Police but was governed by law and the relevant authorities.

He also dismissed what he described as rumours about the purpose of his travel.

“They say I fall sick. They say I went to investigate the people who were hiding money outside of the country. I even hear that I went with Alice to get people visas revoked,” he said.

Guevarro declined to provide details, saying he was “not at liberty to discuss” the reason for the emergency travel.

He said that upon his return he briefed the Chairperson of the National Security Council and the Minister of Homeland Security, adding that any further inquiries should be directed accordingly.

Guevarro also sought to reassure the public that his absence did not create a crisis within the police service.

He said the TTPS was built on “structure, continuity and contingency” and had competent executive officers capable of maintaining operational stability.

“Leadership transitions, temporary or otherwise, are not a crisis. They are part of the organisation’s design,” he said.