The Cyber Security Incidence Response Team (CSIRT)   is responsible for defending the national interest against cyber threats which can and will affect critical information infrastructure. It acts as Trinidad and Tobago’s focal point for matters related to cyber security at the national, regional and international levels. It also responds to cyber security incidents, using its resources to coordinate and manage responses in order to mitigate its impact.

The Corporate Communications Unit is responsible for the development and implementation of a comprehensive and coherent communications plan including an effective communication strategy for the Ministry.

The Defence Section provides administrative support to the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management. It acts as a liaison office/conduit to the National Emblems Committee, Defence Council, Defence Force Commissions Board and the Cadet Force Advisory Committee. It also has the responsibility for coordinating activities relating to national ceremonial events such as Independence and Remembrance Day celebrations. It is responsible for processing applications for overnight and landing clearances and visits of vessels, as well as matters relating to the use and grant of licenses in respect of the Coat of Arms and the National Flag.

The Protective Services Section provides administrative support to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service. It processes applications for the Operations of Private Security Agencies; Import, Export and Storage of Explosives; and Claims for compensation and damages from members of the public. The Section also serves as the Secretariat to the Protective Services Compensation Committee.

The Facilities Management Unit is responsible for maintaining the physical structures/buildings of the Ministry at multiple sites. The Unit is also charged with ensuring that the safety and security of staff is preserved in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as well as the upkeep and maintenance of the vehicle fleet attached to the General Administration Division.

The Finance and Accounts Unit ensures that the financial resources of the Ministry are prudently managed, in accordance with budgetary allocation, laws, regulations, guidelines, circulars from the Ministry of Finance and the strategic plan of the Ministry of National Security. The Unit’s functions includes Revenue Collection, Budgetary Control, General Accounting, Payroll Accounting, Reporting, providing financial advice and overseeing the operations of accounting units and sub-accounting units of the Ministry.

The Human Resource Management Unit is responsible for the Human Resource Management functions of the General Administration Division of the Ministry of National Security, inclusive of HR Planning, Employee Relations, and Training and Development. The Unit also liaises with other HR Units of the Ministry to ensure consistency in the application of policies and procedures for recruitment, selection, management of benefits, and training and development of staff.

The Information and Communications Technology Unit is responsible for managing the operations of modern, state of the art telecommunications and information technology systems, catering to the needs of the Divisions of the Ministry.

The Internal Audit Section is responsible for ensuring that the Ministry’s internal control and accounting systems are operating effectively and that its financial and accounting procedures are in due compliance with the Accounting Laws, Regulations, Procedures, Policies, Principles, Circulars and Authorities in force. It also ensures the reliability of accounting records for the preparation of Financial Statements, as required by law, and is responsible for verifying Pension and Leave Records, Contract Gratuities and Arrears of Salary and Allowances for all Divisions of the Ministry.

The International Affairs Unit coordinates the efficient and effective delivery of all security, law enforcement, defence and civil support programmes and projects that require interface and engagement with our international partners. It also serves as the focal point at the Ministry in respect of all regional, hemispheric and international security issues and thus works closely with the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs.

The Legal Unit is responsible for providing legal services to the Ministry as a whole, on issues pertinent to its operations. This includes providing legal advice, legal assistance, legislative review, disciplinary tribunal, legal documents and representation in legal matters.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Unit develops sustainable M&E systems that can provide a consistent flow of information on progress and performance of the Ministry’s initiatives. The Unit is responsible for taking an evidence-based approach to the management, efficiency and effectiveness of public investment and is governed by the National M&E Policy of Trinidad and Tobago, which was developed by the Ministry of Planning and Development, through the National Transformation Unit in 2015.

The Office Management Unit is primarily responsible for providing support services to the various Sections/Units under the General Administration Division such as utilities; hospitality, driver and messenger services; and the smaller scale procurement of required goods and services. It includes a Registry Section, which receives, sorts, scans and dispatches mail, using the Digital Management System (DMS).

The Procurement Unit is responsible for the acquisition of goods, services and consultancies for all Divisions of the Ministry (except for goods and services that falls under the remit of the Commissioner of Police), in accordance with Regulations, and established policies and procedures.

The Programme Management Unit oversees the implementation of projects that fall under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP), which is funded under the Government’s Consolidated and Infrastructure Development Fund. The Unit is responsible for the planning and execution of projects, in collaboration with Divisional sub-units, and also coordinates programmes of the Ministry that are supported by loans or external funding.

The Records Management Unit is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of systems and procedures for the efficient management of information and records in all Divisions of the Ministry. Information in the form of records, in all media, is arranged from the time of receipt or creation, through their processing, distribution and use, and placed in storage for retrieval. Records are kept until they are identified for elimination or permanent archival retention.

The Research Unit is responsible for the provision of up-to-date and reliable information that can form the basis for effective decision-making and policy determination on matters relating to National Security. It prepares several reports on behalf of the Ministry, including reports to be laid in Parliament and is tasked with the preparation of responses to Parliamentary Questions and Motions on behalf of the Minister of National Security. It is also responsible for compiling data, conducting analyses and generating reports as requested by the Ministry’s Executive or other State Agencies, as well as reviewing policy documents and providing appropriate feedback/comments/advice as necessary. In addition, the Research Unit functions as the focal point for all Freedom of Information Requests submitted to the General Administration Division, with the Head of the Unit serving as the Designated Officer, in keeping with the provisions of the FOIA.

The Counter Trafficking Unit was formally established in January 2013, pursuant to Section 11 of the Trafficking in Persons Act, Chapter 12:10. The main functions of the Unit include: conducting and coordinating the screening and interviewing of persons in order to identify possible victims of trafficking, as well as traffickers; gathering evidence in relation to trafficking offences and any offence under the Act so as to secure convictions against traffickers; educating potential victims of trafficking and their families of the risk of victimization; and discouraging the demand that fosters the exploitation of persons, especially women and children, that leads to trafficking.

The Electronic Monitoring Unit is responsible for implementing and maintaining the electronic monitoring system in accordance with the Administration of Justice (Electronic Monitoring) Act (No. 11 of 2012). The Unit provides real time tracking of the location of persons placed on electronic monitoring by Order of the Courts of Trinidad and Tobago and reports alarm notifications, signal loss and device malfunction for response by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. The Act provides for the use of electronic monitoring devices as part of the criminal justice system, in respect of a sentence or part thereof, condition of bail or a Protection Order in accordance with the Domestic Violence Act.

Lifeguard Services has the primary responsibility for ensuring the safety of individuals in aquatic environments, by actively maintaining the protection of sea bathers on the nation’s beaches, and ensuring water safety training and education. Lifeguard personnel are deployed to patrol the Las Cuevas, Los Iros, Manzanilla, Maracas/Tyrico, Mayaro, Quinam, Salybia, Toco, Vessigny, and Blanchisseuse (only on long holiday weekends) beaches, during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily, inclusive of weekends and public holidays.

The Military Liaison Office serves as the liaison between the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the General Administration Division. Its responsibilities include, liaising with and providing strategic advice on Defence and Security issues to the Minister of National Security on behalf of the CDS; developing the Critical Infrastructure Protection of other key National Sectors; and assisting in the development and implementation of the National Security Strategies.

The National Drug Council (NDC) was established as the national entity responsible for overseeing the implementation of all aspects of the anti–drug initiatives of Trinidad and Tobago. The Council functions firstly, as a tool for effective management of the multi-sectorial anti-drug programme and secondly, as a natural focal point for interaction with the international community. Its membership comprises executive level decision makers in the critical areas of security management, supply control, demand reduction, legislative issues, financial management, foreign policy and business. Through this interaction, it advises on policy, liaises with stakeholders, and coordinates activities that require contributions from the operational agencies.

The National Drug Council Secretariat falls under the ambit of the Ministry of National Security and its role is to provide support to the Council as well as facilitate and coordinate the activities and outputs of the Drug Information Network of Trinidad and Tobago (DINTT). This involves collecting, collating and analysing data; producing and disseminating information products; and coordinating the support activities of the DINTT.

The National Forensic DNA Databank Custodian Unit is responsible for managing and operating the National Forensic DNA Databank (NFDD) of Trinidad and Tobago. The NFDD is a repository of electronic DNA profiles, obtained from crime scenes and individuals mentioned in the Administration of Justice (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) DNA Act, Chapter 5:34 (Act No. 5 of 2012), that are searched and compared to obtain matches, contamination and familial associations.

The Office of Law Enforcement Policy is responsible for monitoring the operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in the context of the new governance structure for the Service. Its role was redefined in 2011 to include the provision of professional support for the overall development of the other law enforcement entities in Trinidad and Tobago; initiate, support, coordinate and monitor community projects, programmes and activities as directed by the Minister of National Security in accordance with Government policy; and collaborate with other Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, faith-based, community-based and business organizations to promote and advance projects, programmes and initiatives directed toward the development of young people and communities. It currently has responsibility for the Morvant Laventille Initiative and the National Security Officers Foundation. The Office of Law Enforcement Policy also has administrative oversight of the Transit Police Unit, as well as the recruitment, selection and training of other security arms of the state.

The Penal Reform and Transformation Unit is responsible for advancing and transforming the Criminal Justice System using a Restorative Justice Philosophy and a Reintegration Penal Policy. The Unit assists in the establishment of reintegrative programmes for inmates.

Probation Services offer services to persons within the judicial system in accordance with the Probation of Offenders Act, Chapter 13:51. There is a mandatory nexus between Probation Services and the Courts of Law as the Unit plays an integral part of the Judicial and Legal system. In so far as it concerns the Civil jurisdiction of the Courts of Law, their use of Probation Services in furtherance of the Judicial Process is laid down in several aspects of the written Law treating with family matters in Magistrate Courts, High Courts and Appeal Courts.

Project Building Blocks (Formally CURE Violence Programme) is an initiative of the Ministry of National Security that is partially financed through an Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) loan facility. The programme’s objective is to reduce crime and violence in forty–one (41) ‘high needs” partner communities in Trinidad and Tobago, through the financing of preventative interventions addressing the most proximal and modifiable risk factors. The Programme’s activities focus on Community Action, assistance to the Trinidad and Tobago Police (TTPS) and Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of National Security.

The Work Permits Section is responsible for processing applications from non-nationals to engage in a profession, trade or occupation in Trinidad and Tobago. In doing so, the Section also serves as a Secretariat to the Work Permit Advisory Committee, which is chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Security and comprises representatives from other key Ministries/Agencies, including the Ministry of Labour and Small and Micro Enterprise Development; Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries; and the Ministry of Trade and Industry.