Police called for the removal of a video involving a missing 13-year-old girl. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defended the search team.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has called for the removal of a video showing a 13-year-old girl who had been reported missing and was subsequently found by the Hunters’ Search and Rescue Team.
In a statement issued on October 10, the TTPS said it was concerned that the video identified a minor in circumstances that may form part of a police investigation. The service warned that publishing or sharing material that could identify a child who is the subject of a police investigation may constitute a criminal offence. It also said the matter was being investigated by its Special Victims Department and that the child was safe and receiving support, including through the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar defended the Hunters’ Search and Rescue Team, led by Shamshudeen Ayube, amid the public criticism. Speaking to Guardian Media, she questioned the focus on the video and referred to reports that the girl had been missing for 26 days before being found in a forest with a 49-year-old man. The Prime Minister also urged the team to learn from the incident and take precautions to avoid future problems.
The police have acknowledged the contribution of community organisations, including the Hunters’ Search and Rescue Team, to searches for missing people. However, the TTPS said images of missing children are circulated to help locate them and that their identities must be protected once they are found.
The police have called on individuals and organisations to remove the video and refrain from sharing it further.