Trending/business· Updated Oct 9, 2026

TTPS Overtime Bill Nears $800 Million, Prompting Calls For Independent Audit

TTPS overtime payments reached $793.9 million between January 2024 and August 2026. Police leaders cite staffing shortages and emergency deployments, while critics seek an independent audit and question the results.

Photo via Express · from TTPS overtime bill nears $800 million in 32 months

5 reports from 2 outlets · First reported Thu, Oct 8

Summary

Updated Oct 9, 2026

TTPS paid $793.9 million in overtime from January 2024 through August 2026, including $283.2 million in the first eight months of 2026.
Express +2
Police leaders said staffing shortages and extended work during states of emergency contributed to the overtime spending.
Guardian +1
Attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan wants an independent audit or investigation into overtime authorisation, management and accountability.
Express +1
Critics dispute whether the spending has improved crime outcomes, while Gary Griffith alleges current leadership allowed overtime costs to rise.
Guardian +1

Automatically summarised from the coverage below.

Coverage

Oct 9, 2026

Gonzales questions if citizens getting value for money spent by TTPS

Former national security minister Marvin Gonzales has criticised the TTPS for spending nearly $800 million on overtime over the past two years and eight months, saying taxpayers are not seeing better crime results. He warned the state of emergency and expanded police posts are driving costs higher while straining officers’ health.

Oct 9, 2026

Attorney wants independent audit into TTPS’s $800M overtime bill

Attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan is calling for an independent audit of overtime in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service after FOI disclosures showed nearly $794 million paid to officers between January 2024 and August 2026. He says the rising bill raises concerns about staffing, accountability and how overtime is authorised and managed, and wants the Police Service Commission or government to investigate.

Oct 9, 2026

CoP defends TTPS overtime bill amid mounting scrutiny

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro defended the TTPS’s reported $800 million overtime bill, saying the force is understaffed and officers worked extended hours during three states of emergency between 2024 and 2026. Former commissioner Gary Griffith countered that he cut overtime abuse by about $100 million and accused the current leadership of letting costs rise again.

Oct 9, 2026

COPS RACK UP $800M IN OVERTIME

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service overtime payments have reached $793.9 million from January 2024 to August 2026, with $283.2 million already spent in the first eight months of 2026, surpassing all of 2025. The rise comes after two States of Emergency and ahead of new Special Operations legislation, raising concerns that costs could climb further. Deputy Commissioner Junior Benjamin blamed staffing shortages and said overtime must be balanced against crime reduction gains.

Oct 8, 2026

TTPS overtime bill nears $800 million in 32 months

Trinidad and Tobago Police Service overtime payouts reached $793.9 million over 32 months, with payments rising from $233.9 million in 2024 to $283.2 million in the first eight months of this year. Attorney Keron Ramkhalwhan is calling for an independent audit, saying the growing bill raises questions about TTPS staffing and overtime management.

TTPS Overtime Bill Nears $800 Million, Prompting Calls For Independent Audit

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