Benjamin Acts as Police Commissioner During Guevarro’s Orlando Trip

The Full Story

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro is leading a Trinidad and Tobago delegation to the International Association of Chiefs of Police gathering in Orlando, according to a TTPS statement carried by TTT News on 23 October. The police account gives 23–28 October for the delegation, while the organiser lists the formal conference for 24–27 October at the Orange County Convention Center. Its public schedule shows registration and committee meetings on 23 October. Those different ranges should not be presented as two conflicting conference dates: the police account describes the delegation period, while IACP dates its main event. TTPS has not published the delegation’s individual itinerary. During Guevarro’s absence, Guardian reporting identifies Deputy Commissioner Junior Benjamin as acting commissioner through 28 October. Parliament’s motion record shows the House approved Benjamin to act on 30 September after a 23 September presidential notification.

Sources: TTT News carrying TTPS statement, 23 Oct ↗ · Trinidad Guardian via Trinidad Tribune, 24 Oct ↗ · Parliament motion, approved 30 Sep ↗ · IACP 2026 official conference page ↗ · IACP 2026 schedule at a glance ↗

IACP describes the event as four days of education, networking and an exposition for policing leaders. The public schedule places workshops on 24–27 October and the exhibition hall on 25–27 October. Its tracks include leadership, legal issues, technology and information sharing, and training management; a live programme lists sessions on digital evidence management and sustained crime reduction, among many others. This tells readers what is available at the conference, not what Guevarro or another Trinidad and Tobago delegate actually attended. No named workshop attendance or specific bilateral meeting was identified in the public material reviewed.

Sources: IACP 2026 official conference page ↗ · IACP 2026 schedule at a glance ↗ · IACP 2026 education tracks ↗ · IACP 2026 live session schedule ↗

The TTPS statement names Strategic Services Agency director Alicia Henry, Assistant Commissioner Andy Tewarie and two US Embassy representatives, Randell Smith and Kelley Whitson, alongside Guevarro. It says the US Embassy sponsored the delegation’s attendance and that Guevarro hopes the trip will strengthen partnerships and expose local agencies to policing practices and technology. The statement does not itemise what sponsorship covers, any remaining public travel expense, or an agreement reached. An independently published Embassy account was not located in this review.

Sources: TTT News carrying TTPS statement, 23 Oct ↗

The organiser expects more than 16,000 public-safety attendees and more than 600 vendors. Its exhibition is designed to show equipment and services, but appearing at an exposition is not evidence that Trinidad and Tobago has chosen a product or committed public money. The next useful record would be a dated TTPS account after the delegation returns: whom they met, which sessions were relevant, what follow-up is planned, and whether any proposal needs procurement or policy approval.

Sources: TTT News carrying TTPS statement, 23 Oct ↗ · IACP 2026 official conference page ↗ · IACP 2026 schedule at a glance ↗

What Happens Next

After 28 October, check for a TTPS or Embassy account of the meetings, sessions attended, sponsorship terms, any public expense and proposed actions. Also check for any update to the acting appointment or conference schedule.