Too Many Fires…
For almost two (2) years, Trinidad and Tobago has been fighting the huge fire of a pandemic. The way back to recovery requires fighting many fires: to do with our economy, with our safety and mental health to mention a few. However, regrettably, one of the principal institutions for our recovery now finds itself in the midst of many fires. I refer to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
There can be no sustainable recovery without a clear strategy for law and order in the new society. I have been preparing for quite some time in recent weeks a piece on the transformation of the TTPS with the objective of moving away from the colonial model to one that is more suited to the needs of a modern independent Trinidad and Tobago. This I put on hold for now given certain recent events and particularly the events relating to the selection of a Commissioner of Police.
At the outset, let me state that I hold no grief for any candidate, nor do I hold a red or yellow party card. The fact is that there are too many fires and distractions directly surrounding the process of selecting a new commissioner.
Fire number one is the inordinate delay by the Police Service Commission (POLSC) towards ensuring that within the three years of the term of the present Commissioner of Police a final decision was not arrived at to ensure a smooth progression to a substantive appointment.
Recent items in the mainstream media as well as on social media suggest that we are witnessing a literally internecine battle within the Service for that top position. This is bound to end in enmity and mistrust at the highest echelon of the service and even extending to the lower levels. The silence of the Police Service Commission on this matter is damaging. Their messaging to the public has been non-existent.
There are some other fires that I consider worth mentioning.
1. The recent standoff between the coast guard and a pleasure craft owned by the head of the police legal unit. This is troubling. I go mainly by what the mainstream media (The Express) reports about a distress call made by a female from this yacht expressing concern for her safety. It’s unfortunate that this happens at a time when there is widespread campaigning about how we treat our women.
2. The list of weapons, if correct, found on the yacht seems to identify at least one weapon which according to the Firearms Act is deemed a prohibited weapon. In respect of which even the Commissioner of Police is not able to issue a license for its possession. Perhaps the SRPs were in possession of them in the course of their duty. This has not been made clear.
3. The appointment of a contract officer, namely the outgoing commissioner, to act when his contract has already ended might raise some very interesting legal questions.
4. Accountability (particularly Police Accountability) is a matter that I have been researching but I should leave that for another episode.
What is needed now more than ever, is a police service that is well resourced, well trained, trustworthy and dedicated to the task. Recently at a public function, I heard the Honourable Prime Minister mention that it was his view that there is a lot of training that is needed in the police service.
It is time to put out the fires now fanned by floods of negativity, envy, greed, selfishness, arrogance, hubris, and the like.
Perhaps we should embrace a new culture: of lawfulness, civility, respect, kindness, joy, sharing positivity, Light, Love and on and on.
This will include an education system that is the wind beneath the wings of our children carrying them to be the best that they can be.
Our collective energy will facilitate the selection of a political cohort and institutions, including a police service, that serve our best interest.
In the words of the Mighty Stalin,” We can make it if we try”.
- Lance Selman -