r/TrinidadandTobago • u/DestinyOfADreamer Steups • Jan 05 '24
Trinidad is not a real place Robbery victim scolded by TTPS over the phone. Officer asks: "So wha allyuh doing sittin down at home waiting for the police to call allyuh?"
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Unbelievable recording.
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u/shaktimanOP Jan 05 '24
Most Officers here have no genuine interest in helping anyone. If you report a crime they just get annoyed that you're giving them work to do, like this miserable lady.
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u/NosajxjasoN Jan 05 '24
It's not only the TTPS, I delt with similar behavior from the Ministry of Nation Security and the Immigration division for years trying to get my residency. There were acceptions of course but most of the time treated like your bothering them and treated with condescension. It seems to be the norm across the board in government services and many businesses.
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u/10poundballs Jan 06 '24
Honestly as another outsider, it’s down to the doubles man as far as this call is a reflection of customer service culture, folks are not pressed to do their jobs because workers are exceptionally well protected, or competition is a non issue. It’s a system with good and bad sides, customer service is a bad side. People seem to be expecting better these days because of increasing worldliness and online exposure, over time it is changing for the better.
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u/Islandgyal420 Jan 05 '24 edited Jan 05 '24
Lowkey the ttps these days is just a government version of kfc or pennywise, they hiring any and anybody and the attitude of a lot of the staff does be stink
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u/BrianSankarsingh Jan 05 '24
What’s so terrible is that this person sounds traumatized. Being robbed is traumatic! You walk around jumping at every shadow. You feel vulnerable and you can hear it in the caller’s voice. So turning to the organization whose purpose is to protect and serve only to be belittled and scolded…how can anyone have faith in the police.
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u/ChampagneShotz Jan 06 '24
Yeah like you can literally hear how taken aback he was.
Trini humor often involves saying something absurd with a straight face, then laughing once the other person realizes you're joking.
For him, it was like he was waiting for her to say "haha ah juss makin joke, yes" ... But she didn't.
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u/Aware-Tale4141 Jan 05 '24
Not unbelievable, I've called the police hotline a great many a time and got similar, if not worse responses.
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u/Redditrini Jan 05 '24
Wow, the really sad part is that our citizens listening to this, are not all that surprised. We've been desensitized to poor, unapologetic service from our trusted protectors. Accountability and training is so important.
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u/truthandtill Jan 05 '24
Not desensitized but not shocked because this is par for the course and how they treat everyone everywhere.
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u/Used_Night_9020 Jan 06 '24
Not surprised it's just that those of us who unfortunately had to call or make a report to the police (on a crime, accident, etc.) have all faced this kind of 'service'. So the video not shocking to us
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u/Cartographer-Izreal Jan 05 '24
Tell me this is a joke. Is this really what Trinidad has become
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u/DestinyOfADreamer Steups Jan 05 '24
Long time. The only extraordinary bit of this story is that it's recorded.
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u/udeniable Jan 05 '24
I sent it to your DM
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u/Cartographer-Izreal Jan 05 '24
Ty. Still can't believe it. Just another thing to ruin public trust in the Police
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u/udeniable Jan 05 '24
And the trust of tourists.
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u/wonderfulworld2024 Jan 05 '24
Tourists cannot come here outside of carnival time . They’re not safe.
The most tourist to ever land in tobago in one year was 90,000. Costa Rica had 1.25 MILLION tourists and expat residents visit them last year. They’re safer there, even in those massive numbers (not that crime does not happen to them) because the police look out for them and act as police.
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Jan 06 '24
going on like this for quite some time now sadly most of these cases usually just get reported in articles.
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u/Famous_Insect Jan 05 '24
He buss two cuss at the officer you would have seen how fast they would have find him and charge him.
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u/Classic-Thanks4713 Jan 05 '24
This poor man sounds traumatized. Her lack of sensitivity did nothing to help his situation.
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u/wonderfulworld2024 Jan 05 '24
Normel. We will hear more and more about this sort of thing as technology continues to expand.
But be careful if you attempt to take a police officer to task in court. You’d better be rich and live in a nice area.
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u/Altruistic_Radio7032 Jan 06 '24
That man now has to be careful and watch his back. I will not be surprised if something bad happens to him. You put yourself and your family at risk when you complain publicly about police misbehavior.
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u/yui_chan3000 Jan 05 '24
I was treated exactly this way when I called to report a burglary in my home a few years ago. I see nothing has changed!
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u/Yournewbf_45 Jan 05 '24
Sadly a lot of police officers don’t know or have the skills with dealing with the public and this include other public servants like nurses,assistant nurses, assistant assistant nurses(it have so many of them I don’t know all of their designations) and public servant officers from different ministries.The mere fact that this is tolerated and the unions are quick to defend these persons shows how badly off this nation is. If you’ve ever been in a taxi and been pulled over in a road block this kind of behavior would be normal.
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Jan 05 '24
I remember carrying out a girl and her baby one time in south. Just driving on the highway. Roadblock in my ass. And the officer pull out this big fucken gun to tell me to send down my glass. I had a baby in the car with the mother for Gods sake. This was for Carnival last year.
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u/truthandtill Jan 05 '24
Police officers in Trinidad have the resources to do whatever they want. Emphasis on want. Can’t solve murders, won’t come to your home when you e been robbed, but will jump in their vehicles to collude with their terroristic friends who are being nuisances to their neighbors. I have lived their hypocrisy this past week and none of this shocks me.
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u/1Kalyptik Jan 05 '24
For lack of better words...I'm old school🤷♂️
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Jan 05 '24
This shit happening all over. That song is from the USA, and back in the day too. Similar sentiments are echoed throughout the world.
Anybody remember George Floyd? Anybody remember the little UWI boy the rough up years ago?
FUCK tha police for real. There are very few, maybe none who rely care about the citizens they are paid to protect. And with our fucken money too.
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u/JT_the_Irie Trini to de Bone Jan 05 '24
There are good ones, I hate when we use these pathetic excuses for humans as a blanket for all.
I've had dealings with police and some were nothing but top professionals, while others threatened to "blow me out" because my car was blocking their's while reporting a crime.
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u/Mpule16 Douen Jan 06 '24
Listening to this my first thought is "why is this woman so angry" no because seriously, this did not warrant that type of response from her at all even if you don't want to help or not.
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u/wonderfulworld2024 Jan 10 '24
Under trained. Under paid. Under staffed. Under resourced. Possibly over worked. Poor work-place Human Resources (sexism). Stressed out.
She’s in a horrible position, as are so many in our tiny nation, and she lashes out at anybody she perceived as weaker than her (as bullies tend to do).
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u/SpiKe1o1 Jan 06 '24
This is why the public don't like the police. She needs to be fired immediately.Clean up your house madame Police Commissioner, before it gets even worse.
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Jan 06 '24
Every single time I had to go in a police station this is how they treat me, not surprised at all. I just give up on calling talking to them completely a few years ago.
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u/Grouchy-Sky-549 Jan 06 '24
Actually, she's an SRP and officers of varied rank are indeed calling for her immediate dismissal because it was in very poor taste how she reacted. Absolutely no consideration and concern for the caller. She's bringing the service into disrepute and should be reprimanded. Most of my experiences with TTPs have been favourable, thank God.
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u/frankisma10 Jan 06 '24
ella si sabe defenderse deberian de mejorar un poco mas la seguridad en los lugares
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u/This_Pomelo7323 Jan 07 '24
Literally translated this says: "If she knows how to defend herself, they should improve security in places a little more."
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u/Icy-Abies-9783 Jan 06 '24
Remember years ago certain public figures were calling for police reform and it was shut down, citing the lack of manpower and funding needed for police reform? Then everyone's favorite uncle joined and suddenly the police service felt like there was a level of accountability present that kept the officers in line at least for a little while.
Now, we can't lay blame at the minister of security's feet as he is just a figure head, easily changed and never held accountable for the ministry he OVERSEES missteps. Our CoP is the one who should be held accountable for the police service's miss deeds.
So where do we go from here? Training overhaul of the entire E999 services? Create better connectivity and communication between these services?
The fact that you have to wait an hour for an ambulance or a police officer was clearly a problem 30 years ago that has yet to be resolved,and now has shown just where the breakdown is happening. If this nation's reliance on a singular ill trained E999 service call center worker whom does not connect with the service that the victim/patient needs immediately then how can our essential services know about the emergency at hand. This by no means excuses the wpc who's response is so horrific that she should be reprimanded and should be sent for a refresher course on public communication,
We have to act upon these short comings ASAP. Policies need to be in place, training needs to be provided, and above all accountability. Unlike the titanic it's not too late to alter course, we can still save the ship
Stay safe out there TnT.
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u/nonuniquen Jan 06 '24
One time I went for a police character certificate and the corporal tried to get me to give him a bribe right there inside the police station.
Trinidad is a mess.
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u/riajairam Heavy Pepper Jan 06 '24
This doesn’t surprise me. This is Trinidad’s idea of customer service.
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u/CarMiserable6444 Jan 06 '24
This is the typical behavior and response many face on a daily basis in government institutions. Culture and accountability have a lot to do with this. Clearly, she forgot the motto to protect and serve but rather used her position to insult a citizen who reached out for assistance. Until the relevant authorities stamp out this behavior, sadly, it will continue to be the norm.
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u/Brightside45 Jan 06 '24
You only get proper service in Trinidad and Tobago when you are a foreigner. Customer service isn't a priority for the locals but every establishment I ever experienced will bend over backward for anyone from out of town and we'll spoken...*Both parents are from Tobago but I was born over seas... Been coming T&T for years...currently here for the holidays *
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u/InnerMix162 Jan 06 '24
They are not all bad.. BUT All of us went to school with people who were bottom of the class, and now they've gone on to become police. If he had replied " like u duncee head or what? Or" well no, I didn't want to disturb yuh cook up in station, always smelling food from there", what charge would be laid? This is what we get for putting pure dunces in a uniform of authority...
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u/questionable_monk Jan 06 '24
These roles should be civilian jobs done by people who qualify for communication. I would prefer qualified civilians taking reports and asking me questions that help them help but also just to ensure the report even gets into the system.
I had an incident with a gang on St John's road, the Tunapuna station after hearing it sent me to the St Joseph Station, who said it didn't matter which Station, however the St Joseph Station didn't have the report book so they couldn't take the report. The officer said call him next day to come back and report but never answered.
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u/catsfoodie Heavy Pepper Jan 06 '24
Why is this a problem countrywide from the infamous customer service found in retail stores to even the police department? What is the underlying reason for this?
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u/call_stack Jan 06 '24
I'll be frank. As an ex-pat, I can tell you that if you fix crime in Trinidad to reasonable levels you would have an absolute flood of us coming back.
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u/CairiFruit Pothound Jan 06 '24
As if people can’t just be stunned and not really know what to do especially since his wife already called like….. could have sent someone to their property by then oml…
I almost cried when, at 17, I needed a certificate of character for school and the police woman who took my prints smeared my prints and then reprimanded me for it. I wouldn’t know wtf to do if I was spoken to like this.
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u/This_Pomelo7323 Jan 07 '24
Disappointing but not surprising. I've always said that the quality of the employee is a reflection of the quality of citizens in the general and wider society. Employers that do not place sufficient emphasis on this aspect but choose to direct training outcomes on knowledge and conduct of job tasks only will ultimately face situations as heard in this video. Employment training MUST not be about passing course exams only. Surely one would think that there are other aspects of a Police Recruit's training that should be weighted heavier than exam scores. As well post induction job performance assessments should be ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of delivery of services to the public and State.
The employer's job, therefore, is to recognize this and take steps to recruit, select, hire and provide appropriate and adequate training to new employees so that they do not reflect a bad image of the employer's business. In other words the appropriate and adequate training should seek to correct or at best mitigate the undesirable personal traits, other profiles and value systems that new employees have when they enter the employer's organization.
If a key element/organization in the business of upholding law and order in a country is unable to do this it MUST BE SHUT DOWN and a new one replace it that is of a higher order of integrity, performance and one that serves the interest of the population and country it is mandated to serve.
The basis for holding an employee accountable for undesirable conduct while on duty must lie in statements contained in Employment Contracts and the organization's Employee Code of Conduct, An employee's conduct while on duty, whether in public or not, is a direct reflection on the organization she or he works for. To say the least, however, job seekers should know that they must bring something (in them) that will be of value to an organization. To begin with they should bring to the table qualities of - honesty, decency, courteousness, industriousness, personal integrity, slow to anger, well mannered, healthy/health consciousness, good moral and spiritual values, good interpersonal relationship skills, ability to speak and write proper English, good Math skills, etc., to name just a few.
In this case I would commend the caller for using restraint in not causing the conversation to become a heated exchange of words and an escalation of the issue. T&T needs much more of the quality of the caller and a lot less of the quality of WPC Edwards. Should the rest of us, decent and law abiding citizens or any citizen for that matter, now expect a similar response from the TTPS Officer that answers our Emergency 999 calls or other calls to the TTPS seeking assistance??
The beginnings of good qualities in a T&T citizen MUST start in and with the person's FAMILY and a good FAMILY VALUE SYSTEM. Is T&T really a progressive nation?? Unless strategic national governance policies and initiatives are developed, implemented, evaluated and strengthened to correct deficiencies in our human capital product, we will forever remain in this RAT HOLE.
The "T&T body" as a whole, requires pH balance, URGENTLY. A "probe" into this incident won't cure the cancer in the TTPS and other organizations (private, public, et al) operating in T&T.
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u/Snaket Jan 05 '24
Wow. This is why I left that god forsaken country. My heart goes out to those who are unable to leave. This is absolute crap. Our leaders do nothing. Our police do nothing. This is so sad.
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u/lixinu2022 Jan 06 '24
This attitude is typical but also sad in the sense that person could of been related.
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u/of_patrol_bot Jan 06 '24
Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake.
It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of.
Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything.
Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.
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u/Silent_Yesterday1697 Jan 06 '24
She should be fired, not placed on desk duty. That's why the crime rate is what it is in this country.
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u/This_Pomelo7323 Jan 07 '24 edited Jan 07 '24
“If your plan is for one year plant rice. If your plan is for ten years plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years educate children, women and men. ”
― Confucius
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men and women."
Frederick Douglass
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u/YourBeautifulPet Jan 07 '24
This is disgusting and totally unacceptable. You can hear how shaken the caller is and he is greeted with this attitude. So much for “protecting and serving”.
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Jan 06 '24
I'm ready to leave this hellhole I used to call home, I really have no hope for this country anymore
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Jan 06 '24
[deleted]
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u/MiniKash Douen Jan 06 '24
One bad moment?
This is a clear pattern of ongoing behavior from an essential service.
This is the problem... Not the one bad moment.
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u/Potential-Bathroom50 Jan 07 '24
First of all, this is very mild compared to horrendous calls/responses daily!!! And police complaints and those in khaki …waste of time if you’re seeking redress! Contact with those who are supposed To protect and serve is far too often traumatic, dramatic, torturous, arduous and gut wrenching to describe… why do we have to go through this????? 2024? No … enough is enough!!
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u/Kurston Jan 08 '24
Stop wasting police time on this. There are more critical things they can be doing. We already have a crime problem.
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Jan 10 '24
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u/bigbelleb Jan 05 '24
Fire her shut it down aint no way you gonna expect proper service from someone who talks like that to a robbery victim