Estate Police Association Calls for Legal Reform and Membership Drive on I-95.5 FM

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – During the “EPA Speaks” segment on I-95.5 FM, host Cameron Fisher interviewed Mr. Richardson, a representative of the Estate Police Association (EPA), about the longstanding legal and labour challenges faced by private security and estate police officers.

Mr. Richardson explained that estate police and security officers are denied the same lawful authority to annual and sick leave that other workers enjoy in Trinidad and Tobago. “Why should they not have lawful authority access to annual leave and sick leave the same way as any worker in Trinidad and Tobago can?” he asked, highlighting a perceived discrimination embedded in the nation's labour laws.

He noted that the current framework allows employers to impose excessive fines and wage deductions for minor infractions, such as improper belt wear or tardiness. “When you take $20 from somebody, that is our salary. When you take $200 from somebody working 12 hours, that is $240 for the day, $246 a day, and you take a fine of $200… they take it away without due process,” he said, describing a pattern of abuse that leaves workers vulnerable.

The EPA's goal, according to Mr. Richardson, is to lobby the cabinet—including the Prime Minister, Attorney General, and the Minister of Labour—to amend the legislation. “The Minister of Labour cannot alone change the laws; the entire cabinet has to listen,” he asserted.

Resource constraints were another focus of the interview. The association collects only TT$50 per member each month, far less than the TT$75-120 collected by other unions, limiting its capacity to provide legal support. Despite these limits, the EPA has received assistance from legal professionals such as Douglas Mendez, Anthony Block, and Kai Tak Lansing, whose counsel has been critical for the association's survival.

Mr. Richardson used the platform to issue a direct appeal to listeners: “Please join the Estate Police Association. Our contact number is 658-229-3, and you can reach us by email at estatepolice@ymail.com or visit our website, estatepolicet.com, and our Facebook page.”

The interview concluded with the host thanking Mr. Richardson and wishing a happy Independence Day to the association's members and all estate officers and security personnel.

This broadcast underscores growing frustration among private security workers and their representatives, who seek legislative change, stronger collective representation, and broader public support.