PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Trinidad and Tobago has officially ended its latest state of emergency, bringing an extended period of emergency security powers to a close on September 17.

The measure had given authorities additional powers to arrest and detain people considered security threats without charge. The government said the emergency was ending because of constitutional and legal requirements, while maintaining that security concerns remained.

During the latest emergency period, the government reported thousands of arrests and extensive police operations targeting suspected criminal networks. Officials have said security operations will continue even though the emergency powers have ended.

The government is also pursuing additional legislation and security measures following the expiration of the emergency. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said another state of emergency could be declared if serious security threats re-emerge.

The end of the emergency has also prompted legal and civil-liberties concerns, with lawyers and opposition figures questioning aspects of the mass arrests made under emergency powers.

For residents across Trinidad and Tobago, attention now turns to how regular law-enforcement powers and new legislation will shape the country's next phase of its security response.