There will be more boots on the ground to tackle crime with the absorption of 800 Special Reserve Police officers (SRPs) into the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), says Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander.

Speaking at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, yesterday, Alexander said this waiver of mandatory academic requirements for entry into the TTPS is to facilitate a shortfall of more than 1,154 vacancies that presently exist.

To become a TTPS officer at present, candidates are required to have at least five passes in the Caribbean Examinations Council’s CSEC examinations, which must include English Language and Mathematics. Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted.