OUR BEGINNINGS
On June 16, 1970, imbued with the idea that important and valued benefits can be gained by coming together as an organized body, a group of former officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service formed the Trinidad and Tobago Ex-Police Association of America. In 1972, the organization was incorporated and named Trinidad and Tobago Ex-Police Association International (New York Chapter). Inc (TEXPO).
Having worked at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, the individuals who pioneered the idea were exposed to the presence of other West Indian islands’ Ex-Police Associations in New York, which comprised some of their colleagues at the U.N. In addition, they were founders of the Trinidad and Tobago United Cultural Association (TATUCA), which was instrumental, from 1962, in the annual celebration of Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence in New York. Indeed, the stage was set to embark on the new road – a journey which had to be taken.
They realized the experiences they shared made them unique and created a bond different from other groups. This presented the opportunity for members to become functional in a civilian setting, after having been exposed to the rigid and highly disciplined atmosphere, which life in the Police Service demanded. Initially, the philosophy of “Everybody has an equal say, former rank in service gives no sway” had to be our guiding principle to avert the perpetuation of “police thinking” in our midst and allow for constructive growth and development. As a result, TEXPO was born.
TEXPO’s mission is to initiate and implement wholesome and positive programs to benefit its members and the community and serve as a medium for developing the leadership skills of its members as well as to collaborate with other organizations, entities, and individuals to achieve this mission. The organization consists of former members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, Trinidad and Tobago Special Reserve Police, Trinidad and Tobago City Police, Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police and Trinidad and Tobago Estate Police as well as individuals with familial ties to the above-mentioned categories of members.
OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
If our history is a measure of our success, then we have done very well. As a group, we have provided more chairpersons and presidents of the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance than any other organization. We are one of the founding members of the Alliance. In addition, from experience gained, our members have gone on to found other groups of which they became presidents. A few years ago, one of our members who relocated to Trinidad, was instrumental in revitalizing and making functional the Ex-Police Association there. It is apparent, therefore, our organization is a laboratory for the development of leadership skills.
In 1974 our association pioneered All Fours Tournaments in the New York City area and ran summer and fall tournaments until 1981 when the All Fours Alliance succeeded us. Our action at that time filled a void among our nationals for participation in one of our favorite pastimes.
Between 1988 and 1995, we awarded nineteen scholarship grants to students of Caribbean/West Indian heritage matriculated at colleges and universities in the U.S. Also, we have sponsored and promoted Annual Children’s Christmas Parties for the underprivileged where toys were distributed. In addition, we have responded financially to special, emergency, and needy cases. We have also participated in citizenship drives to assist members of the public to elevate their immigration status.