The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is reminding citizens that while the country’s home invasion law gives occupants the right to stand their ground, it does not give anyone unlimited authority to use force.

TTPS Media Ambassador Acting Sergeant Devonn Jagroop said self-defence is intended to protect citizens who face an immediate threat, but the response must remain reasonable and proportionate. He said the law recognises that people may have to make split-second decisions when protecting themselves or their families.

“Well, reasonable force is force that is proportionate to the threat that you face. The law does not expect you to respond with mathematical precision in a life-or-death split second moment. It looks at when you honestly and instinctively believe that what you did at the time was necessary to protect yourself or your family.”