President Christine Kangaloo Proclaims Special Operations Act, Bringing New Crime-Fighting Powers Into Force

Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said there is no need for alarm over the permit system under the Special Operations Act, insisting no area can be declared a Special Operations Area until legal requirements are met. He also said the TTPS is prioritising manpower and resources to reduce long waits on the E-999 emergency line.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Special Operations Act cannot be fully enforced until police and soldiers complete mandatory training in human rights, use of force and de-escalation, delaying the rollout of new closed-area powers. TTPS says it will act transparently and lawfully, but residents and vendors are worried about movement restrictions, livelihoods and possible abuse of the powers.

Regional security expert Dr Garvin Heerah said any permit system under the new Special Operations law will only work if it is intelligence-led, tightly verified and administered professionally, not arbitrarily. Former police commissioner Gary Griffith said a similar system worked during the COVID-19 lockdown and could support targeted security operations, if permits are properly vetted.

The Special Operations Act has been amended to match new municipal boundaries proposed in the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which passed the Lower House 27-0 against opposition votes. Four districts were redrawn to align with the planned borough and corporation changes, affecting areas including Port of Spain, Arima, Sangre Grande and Chaguanas.

A woman who spent six months detained without charge during the State of Emergency says new Special Operations laws could allow the same thing again, after reading provisions for arrest and extended detention in declared closed areas. Some Tunapuna residents welcomed tougher action against crime, but others warned that lockdowns could hurt working people and small businesses.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said the TTPS has identified areas for intensified operations under the Special Operations Act, but he would not name the communities to avoid alerting suspects. The new law allows “closed areas” with curfews, checkpoints and warrantless searches, while the police service also plans to expand micro police units based on crime data and needs budget support.

President Christine Kangaloo has proclaimed the Special Operations Act, 2026, bringing into force new powers for police and, in some cases, the Defence Force to target violent crime, gangs and illegal weapons in designated areas across Trinidad and Tobago. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander said the operations will be carried out with secrecy and “surprise,” warning criminals the law will act against them while government says safeguards and oversight remain in place.

President Christine Kangaloo has proclaimed October 6 as the date the Special Operations Act, 2026, fully took effect, allowing the Government to begin special operations across Trinidad and Tobago. The law lets authorities declare “closed areas” with curfews, checkpoints, road closures and warrantless searches in certain cases, but key details on permits and where operations will start remain unclear.

President Christine Kangaloo has proclaimed the Special Operations Act, 2026, which creates policing districts across Trinidad and Tobago and allows special operations to target criminal activity in those areas. The law also sets rules for police-led operations with possible Defence Force support, including joint protocols and separate operating procedures for cooperation.