Gonzales Questions Whether Officers Deployed in Maloney Are Properly Trained for Special Security Operations
Opposition Member of Parliament Marvin Gonzales has questioned whether police officers and soldiers deployed in Maloney possess the specialised training required to operate under the Special Operations Act, 2026, alleging that many officers may have been assigned to the operation without completing mandatory training.
Speaking during an Opposition press conference on Wednesday, November 11, Gonzales challenged Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro to account for the qualifications and preparedness of personnel participating in the security operation.
His concerns centred on whether officers had received training in human rights, use of force, community engagement and conflict de-escalation before being deployed to an area where extraordinary policing powers are being exercised.
Only Senior Officers Trained, Gonzales Alleges
Gonzales claimed that information available to the Opposition suggested that only one cohort of senior police officers had completed the training associated with the legislation.
He alleged that Second Division officers, including personnel holding ranks from constable to inspector, had not undergone the required preparation.
"My understanding is that none of them received training," Gonzales stated, referring to the Second Division officers deployed in the operation.
He further questioned whether members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force assigned to the area had completed the necessary training.
These claims have not been independently verified, and Gonzales did not provide individual training records during the supplied portion of his remarks.
Are Officers Qualified to Exercise Extraordinary Powers?
Gonzales referred specifically to Section 5(4) of the Special Operations Act, arguing that the legislation establishes training requirements for personnel participating in special operations.
He identified four areas of preparation: human rights, use of force, community engagement and conflict de-escalation.
His argument was that officers exercising extraordinary powers must be properly prepared to handle interactions with civilians, particularly where restrictions on movement, searches and other enforcement measures may arise.
The MP questioned whether the Police Service had established that the personnel selected for the Maloney operation satisfied the applicable legal requirements.
The allegations raise questions about training compliance, but they do not independently establish that any particular officer was unqualified or had acted improperly.
Joint Police and Military Procedures Questioned
Gonzales also raised concerns about whether the Police Service and Defence Force had established the operational protocols required under Section 9 of the Act.
He questioned whether joint procedures governing cooperation between police officers and military personnel were in place before the Maloney operation commenced.
Those procedures, he argued, should address coordination, accountability and the identification of officers participating in special operations.
Gonzales called on the Commissioner and the Government to confirm when the protocols were established and to place the relevant information on the public record.
He also questioned whether standard operating procedures had been finalised for the conduct of police operations under the legislation.
Commissioner Asked to Take Responsibility
Gonzales called on Commissioner Guevarro to accept responsibility for the implementation of the Special Operations Act.
His intervention followed questions from Trincity/Maloney MP Camille Robinson-Regis about the legal safeguards protecting residents during the operation.
The Police Commissioner has defended the decision to intervene in Maloney, explaining that intelligence indicated a security situation requiring urgent action.
However, the intelligence-based justification for the operation is a separate issue from whether participating officers completed the training required for their assignments.
Questions Await Official Answers
The Opposition is now seeking confirmation of how many officers received the required training, whether all deployed personnel met the applicable standards and whether joint operational procedures were established before the deployment.
The allegations have not been substantiated by publicly presented training records in the material supplied to TG News.
A response from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Defence Force would be necessary to establish whether the training and operational requirements were satisfied.
For Maloney residents, the issue is not simply the presence of additional security personnel, but whether those exercising extraordinary powers have received the preparation and guidance required to protect public safety while respecting citizens' rights.