“We will act”: ACP Gavin Henry defends protest crackdown near DPP’s Office

“We will act”: ACP Gavin Henry defends protest crackdown near DPP’s Office— "please trust the process" Assistant Commissioner of Police Gavin Henry has defended Wednesday’s police operation to shut down planned protests near the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Port of Spain, insisting that law enforcement officers acted in the interest of public safety amid the ongoing State of Emergency. Speaking to the media following the police action on May 27th, 2026, Henry said authorities could not ignore intelligence and recent incidents linked to the growing Kaia Sealy/Joshua Samaroo protest movement. The senior officer reminded the public that Trinidad and Tobago remains under a State of Emergency and warned that police would take decisive action against any activity deemed threatening to public order or national security. Henry referenced last Saturday’s protest outside Police Administration Headquarters, describing participants as loud and disruptive. He also pointed to early morning disturbances in Laventille on Monday May 25th, where commuters awoke to blocked roadways and burning debris. According to Henry, police intelligence suggested the incident formed part of the wider protest campaign connected to the Joshua Samaroo and Kaia Sealy movement. “We have a responsibility to maintain law and order and to protect public safety,” Henry said, while urging citizens to exercise restraint and allow the legal process to unfold. The ACP acknowledged public grief and frustration surrounding recent police-related deaths, saying the loss of life in such incidents is tragic and emotionally difficult for families and communities. At the same time, he stressed that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service remains committed to accountability and has demonstrated in the past that officers can and will face criminal charges where evidence justifies such action. Henry said the TTPS has confidence in its investigative process and reminded the public that there have been previous cases where police officers were arrested, charged, convicted or exonerated following investigations conducted by fellow officers in collaboration with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. He called on citizens to trust the judicial process and allow the courts to determine the outcome of ongoing matters. Three people were arrested during Wednesday’s police operation near the DPP’s Office on Richmond Street, including protest figure Alyssa Phillip, her mother, and social media activist Jason De Silva, who was the first person detained. The trio was taken into custody as police moved to prevent demonstrators from assembling near the DPP’s Office. Henry indicated that further details regarding the arrests would be released in an official TTPS statement at a later time. The protesters eventually left the Richmond Street area and headed to Woodford Square. — Story by I.A.N News TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT CALL 868-225–3250 WATCH IAN ALLEYNE LIVE: WEBSITE: http://www.ianalleyne.org/ Subscribe to Ian Alleyne YOUTUBE:    / ianalleyne   Donate via PAYPAL: [email protected] FOLLOW IAN ALLEYNE LIVE ON: FACEBOOK:   / ianalleynenetwork   INSTAGRAM:   / ianalleyne   DOWNLOAD THE IAN ALLEYNE APP GOOGLE PLAY: https://play.google.com/store/…/detai... APPLE STORE: https://apps.apple.com/…/i…/id1291774512 TO ADVERTISE CALL OR TEXT IAN DIRECTLY @ 1-868-225-3250 OR 1-868-294-4081 TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON CRIMES AND RELATED ISSUES, CALL: 868-390-4426, 868-330-4426, 868-290-4426 & 868-294-4081 VISIT http://www.ianalleyne.org/ CONTRIBUTIONS ARE APPRECIATED AND IS ACCEPTED AT ANY FIRST CITIZENS BANK AC# 1898739 OR PAYPAL @ [email protected] #CrimeWatch#IanAlleyneNetwork#TheHuntIsOn #Wetting #NewsBeforeNews #Trinidad #Robbery #TrueCrime #Exposed #Thetruth #IanAllyene #Hurricane #Corruptionexposed #NewYork #London #Miami #LockedOn #Truecrimes #IanAlleyne #Carcrash #Chaguanas #Ian #Suits #Instadaily #Like #FollowMe #Me #Hot #Lifestyle #Motivation #TNT #IanAlleyneLiveStream #Ian #BreakingNews #BreakingNewsTT #IanAllen #IanAlleyneLive #IanAllenLive #Ian AlleyneLiveStreamYoutubeToday #Travel#Caribbean#News#CrimeWatchLive#COVID-19 #CORONAVIRUS