Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro has defended the actions of officers in two police-involved shootings linked to home invasions within a 24-hour period, warning that armed offen­ders who confron­ted officers could expect a forceful response.Speaking during a news confe­rence at the Police Administration Building, Port of Spain, yesterday, Guevarro said the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) remained on heightened alert during the ongoing state of emergency (SoE) and continue to respond to reports from citizens.He revealed that while the news conference was in progress, officers in the Central Division were responding to another home invasion in which a suspect was killed.“Unfortunately, as we speak, the police are on the scene of a home invasion in Central Division where another fatality occurred,” Guevarro said.He also had a direct warning to criminal elements.“We are in a state of emergency. The posture of the police in responding to the cries of the citizenry is elevated. Please warn your brothers, your fathers, your uncles, whomsoever...if you know you are involved in criminal activity, don’t arm yourself and go in people’s house.“Don’t arm yourself and go and rob anybody. Because my offic­ers, when responding, will defend themselves against you, and the outcome may not be one with which your family would want to happen,” Guevarro said.“If you know your family have a gun, tell them, ‘Aye, go put it in a spot, call the police and let them come and get it.’ You know your family committing robbery...it is best that you report them to the police and give us the evidence to put them away than you have to go and bury them. Because they, in going to put a robbery down, will end up in a situation which may not come out or resolve well for them in the end....“Do not go in people’s houses. That is the warning that should be going out there. It is not yours, don’t go and look for it. They are still lawful means to make money in this country,” he added.He said the recent incidents highlighted the danger faced by officers and members of the public during armed home invasions.“There have been two police-­involved shootings linked to home invasions in the matter of hours, 24 hours, and this underscores for me the extreme danger posed by armed offenders who target people in their homes, whether occupied or unoccupied,” he said.Guevarro warned persons involved in home invasions and robberies that the TTPS would continue to confront armed criminality.“To those who believe that they could invade people’s homes, confront my officers and terrorise communities, the message is unmistakable. Armed criminality will be met with firm and immediate police response,” he said. “Stay out of people’s house. It is not yours, don’t go there.”He urged members of the public to report suspicious activity and reminded citizens to contact 999, 555 or the nearest police station if they observed criminal activity. “Citizens are reminded that early reporting saves lives. If you see something, say something,” Guevarro said.The Police Complaints Autho­rity (PCA) confirmed to the Express yesterday that for the year so far, 18 people have been killed by the police in 14 separate incidents.