THE Government is moving to increase the sanctioned strength of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) from 7,884 officers to 10,200 officers in an effort to place more boots on the ground.

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, in a statement to Parliament yesterday, said the Government fully recognises that strengthening national security requires responsible financial planning. He said Cabinet agreed that the expansion would occur through a phased five-year recruitment programme, with 600 officers to be recruited in year one, another 600 in year two, and 372 officers annually in years three, four and five.

Simultaneously, he said the TTPS would expand academy infrastructure and training capacity to ensure recruitment standards and operational professionalism are maintained.