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Opposition Senator and former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has announced plans for legal action against provisions of Trinidad and Tobago's Special Operations Act, 2026, arguing that the legislation gives the Prime Minister unconstitutional influence over police and military commanders. Speaking at Balisier House on Thursday, October 8, Al-Rawi warned that legal proceedings could follow the first exercise of powers against citizens by commanders designated under the arrangements he is challenging. His concerns centre on the Prime Minister's authority to object to the designation of senior officers responsible for special security operations. Under the legislation, the Commissioner of Police is responsible for designating Heads of Special Operations, while the Chief of Defence Staff has responsibilities relating to military personnel. The Prime Minister is given a statutory role in the designation process. Al-Rawi argued that allowing a political office holder to influence these command arrangements threatens the constitutional independence of the security services. He described the provisions as fundamentally unconstitutional and suggested that the anticipated legal challenge would extend beyond potential infringements of fundamental rights protected under Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution. The former Attorney General maintained that the legality of the command structure itself should be examined by the courts. The Special Operations Act establishes seven policing districts and provides additional powers for security operations, including the declaration of closed areas under specified conditions. The Government has presented the legislation as a measure intended to strengthen the response to serious crime and improve coordination among security agencies. However, Al-Rawi warned that national security operations must remain subject to constitutional safeguards. He also connected the anticipated litigation to the PNM's unanimous decision to oppose several pieces of Government legislation and commit to their repeal if returned to office. No court has established that the disputed provisions are unconstitutional, and Al-Rawi did not confirm that legal proceedings had already been filed. His announcement signals a potential confrontation between the Opposition and Government over the constitutional limits of political involvement in national security operations.
Opposition Senator and former Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi has announced plans for legal action against provisions of Trinidad and Tobago’s Special Operations Act, 2026, arguing that the legislation gives the Prime Minister unconstitutional influence over police and military commanders.
Speaking at Balisier House on Thursday, October 8, Al-Rawi warned that legal proceedings could follow the first exercise of powers against citizens by commanders designated under the arrangements he is challenging.
His concerns centre on the Prime Minister’s authority to object to the designation of senior officers responsible for special security operations.
Under the legislation, the Commissioner of Police is responsible for designating Heads of Special Operations, while the Chief of Defence Staff has responsibilities relating to military personnel. The Prime Minister is given a statutory role in the designation process.
Al-Rawi argued that allowing a political office holder to influence these command arrangements threatens the constitutional independence of the security services.
He described the provisions as fundamentally unconstitutional and suggested that the anticipated legal challenge would extend beyond potential infringements of fundamental rights protected under Sections 4 and 5 of the Constitution.
The former Attorney General maintained that the legality of the command structure itself should be examined by the courts.
The Special Operations Act establishes seven policing districts and provides additional powers for security operations, including the declaration of closed areas under specified conditions.
The Government has presented the legislation as a measure intended to strengthen the response to serious crime and improve coordination among security agencies.
However, Al-Rawi warned that national security operations must remain subject to constitutional safeguards.
He also connected the anticipated litigation to the PNM’s unanimous decision to oppose several pieces of Government legislation and commit to their repeal if returned to office.
No court has established that the disputed provisions are unconstitutional, and Al-Rawi did not confirm that legal proceedings had already been filed.
His announcement signals a potential confrontation between the Opposition and Government over the constitutional limits of political involvement in national security operations.
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