PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — Intense debate continues in Parliament over the Government’s Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill 2026, a proposed crime-fighting framework that would empower authorities to declare “Zones of Special Operations” in areas with rampant criminality to restore public safety and order. 

What the ZOSO Bill is
The ZOSO Bill is designed to help curb violent crime in designated hotspot communities by allowing the Prime Minister, in consultation with the Commissioner of Police and Chief of Defence Staff, to declare a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO) where enhanced security measures can be deployed. The designation can last up to 180 days and may include cordons, curfews, and enhanced search powers within that area. The bill also creates a “Joint Command” of police and defence forces working with a Social Transformation Council to balance enforcement with community development. 

Supporters say the Bill provides tools to tackle entrenched gang and gun violence, particularly in communities where normal policing is insufficient. 

Passage Through Parliament

The Bill passed the House of Representatives with a constitutionally required special majority, securing support from Government MPs while Opposition MPs voted against it. The Attorney General defended the legislation’s constitutionality and rejected claims it amounted to a hidden State of Emergency, saying the powers are targeted and justified. 

It is now being debated in the Senate, where Government leaders are seeking support from independent senators to secure passage — a requirement given the special majority threshold. 

Supporters’ Arguments

Government ministers and defenders of the Bill, including Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, argue ZOSOs are a targeted approach to dismantling criminal networks and will not affect law-abiding citizens. He explained the zones would be limited in scope, aimed at specific hotspot pockets rather than entire constituencies, and would rely on reasonable suspicion and intelligence to operate effectively. 

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has also strongly defended the measure, saying it represents decisive action to protect citizens and families from the impact of violent crime. 

Critics and Safeguard Concerns

Legal and oversight concerns have been central to the critiques:

• The Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago (LATT) supports crime-fighting efforts but has called for clearer safeguards to protect constitutional rights. It wants strict time limits, clear definitions of when zones can be declared, judicial oversight, published evidence, and mandatory use of body-worn cameras for police operations to ensure accountability. LATT also urged that detention and arrest powers be tied to reasonable suspicion and prevent indefinite detention without charge. 

• Criminal defence attorney Ulric Skerritt has urged wider public disclosure of the Bill’s implications, warning that the proposed powers could resemble ongoing State of Emergency conditions and infringe on citizens’ rights, potentially affecting ordinary residents in designated areas. 

• Independent Senator Dr. Marlene Attzs warned that the creation of zones could stigmatise entire communities, harming residents who are law-abiding and not involved in criminal activity. She stressed the need to protect residents’ dignity and ensure that the policy does not lead to long-lasting negative perceptions or discrimination against certain neighbourhoods. 

Political and Public Dynamics

The ZOSO debate has spilled into broader political discourse, with tensions between the executive and independent senators over perceptions of influence and independence. Some opposition voices have criticised comments targeting independent senators, saying such rhetoric risks undermining democratic norms. 

What Happens Next

Senate debate on the ZOSO Bill is ongoing, with further deliberations scheduled as lawmakers weigh the balance between enhanced crime-fighting powers and civil liberties protections. Analysts say the measure’s fate may hinge on whether independent senators endorse it with reservations or demand amendments.

Sources: TT Express, TT Guardian, TT Newsday