ACTING Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams has opened financial accounts in the Police Service Credit Union (PSCU) for the children of slain police officer Sergeant Hayden Manwaring.

Williams said the accounts will be in the names of Manwaring's children Kaddeal, 16 and Kayla, eight, and deposits of $5,000 made, towards financing their education.

Williams said he would also donate from his own pocket, and encouraged other police officers to also contribute with some of the back pay money they would soon be receiving.

Williams spoke at the opening of the Sergeant Hayden Manwaring Lecture Theatre at the Police Administration Building in San Fernando on Tuesday.

Manwaring, 43, was shot on February 19 while responding to a robbery report in San Fernando. He died hours later at hospital after surgery.

Williams said "What I will do from my personal commitment is to add to that fund, share account, whatever you want to name it, to back the education of the daughter and son of sergeant Manwaring. I’ll back it with $1,000 each from my back pay".

He said he knew police officers would be receiving "back pay" in March, April and May.

He said he would will ask an official of the PSCU to provide donation forms to police officers.

Williams said the accounts paved the way for other police officers who may also die in the line of duty.

"Because we can’t just be talking about love and not demonstrate love", said Williams. "If we start demonstrating that kind of love, then in the future we can extend that kind of demonstration to another brother and another sister who may be taken away from us in the line of duty".

Williams called on police officers to strengthen family ties, as well as focus on their professional responsibilities. "Let 2013 be the year which will mark a turning point for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. It could only happen if we all rally together with one common goal of serving this beloved nation in the way we know best as police officers to ensure improved safety and security for all".

He said "We need to focus on our professional responsibility and we have to keep Sergeant Manwaring as a hero. We need to take that lesson of being true professionals. There is no room for police officers being politicians. We need to take seriously our professional responsibility", he said.

- susan.mohammed@trinidadexpress.com