There are a total of 26 buildings located within the Barracks compound. Only 10 of them are proposed as heritage structures:

• Commissioner’s House
• Guard Building
• Bunker Building
• Powder Building
• Administration Building
• Dormitory Building
• Armory Building
• Simulation Building
• Old Instructors’ Dorm
• Old Armory Building

There are fifteen royal cannons located throughout the St. James Barracks site and numerous historic samaan trees throughout which require protection.

St. James Police Barracks is nominated for listing buildings for its local significance as the only representation of the Georgian architectural style building left in use in Trinidad today and because of its continued association with the Police Service. Built in 1824, the St. James Police Barracks has been continuously used by the government since its construction and it has influenced the history of the Police Service and the Trinidadian society as a whole.

Historic Function: The St. James Police Barracks was originally built to accommodate British troops. The Barracks changed usage a number of times due to political and social events, including becoming a convalescent hospital after British troops left in 1889.

Before the St. James Barracks turned into a police training facility, part of it served as a convalescent hospital. While the British troops were quartered there, a yellow fever outbreak, that reached Trinidad by 1838, affected the European troops stationed in St. James. At this time, the 59th Regiment of Foot had to be removed from the Barracks and set up camp in the Savannah. Between 1889 and 1890, the St. James Barracks had three different functions within it. In 1889, British troops were still housed in one of the blocks at the compound, while the other block was used as a convalescent hospital and prison to confine unruly soldiers. The British soldiers departed and gave up their quarters during that year and the local police service took possession of the St. James Barracks. When the British soldiers finally left, the Barracks were handed over to the Trinidad Government to begin the establishment of a police training school with the understanding that should the British Army ever wish to return, they had the right to take it back. If the Trinidad Government did not want to give it back to the British, it would have to pay 60,000 pounds to them.

Current Function: In 1890, the Police Training College started there. It is currently considered the oldest government building still in use. At present, it is called the Police Academy and is used mainly for recruiting and training of police officers at all levels. It also assists in the training of Special Reserve, Municipal, and other Supplemental Police Officers.

Other Known Name: Police Barracks

Address: 1 Western Main Road

Town/City: St. James

Region: Port of Spain

Site Type: Cultural Heritage

Ownership:

Public Accessibility:

Cultural Community:

Site Features: Public Buildings