Fire Suppression System Malfunction at Police HQ Irrecoverably Destroys Firearm Licence (FUL) Files; TTPS Vows Digital Fix

August 20, 2025 – What was meant to protect instead caused destruction when a malfunctioning fire suppression system at the Police Headquarters in Port-of-Spain flooded a secure records room on Monday, damaging thousands of important documents beyond recovery.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed that a power outage triggered the failure of the building’s suppression system, causing water to inundate the area. Among the worst-hit were physical Firearm Users Licence (FUL) files, along with human resource and other administrative documents.

Although the TTPS maintains digital records of basic FUL application data, the original supporting documents had not yet been digitised. A full digital system was reportedly just weeks away from being launched.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro acknowledged longstanding electrical issues at the headquarters and reassured the public that the majority of firearm records—over 55,000—remain intact. The TTPS is expected to publish a list of affected file numbers (not names) and will invite those applicants to help reconstruct their records.

In response to the incident, the Service has committed to accelerating its digital transformation to prevent future losses.