Restoring Trust Essential for the Police Service of Trinidad
& Tobago by Mark T. Jones
Policing around the world is under pressure and public scrutiny as never
before. The demands on modern policing are such that effective and accountable
leadership is essential. All too often management structures are unresponsive
and those in senior roles reluctant to embrace change, let alone acknowledge
failings and accept responsibility for inadequacies or serious misdemeanors.
Many citizens around the world are keen to know precisely what the word
‘Service’ in the title ‘Police Service’ stands for in the modern age.
To citizens of Trinidad & Tobago the story in regard to the
continued deterioration of public trust in the Police Service is a familiar
one. Whilst there never were Halcyon Days when all was perfect, it is clear
that there is a raft of issues and concerns that cannot simply be rubbished in
the media, ignored and swept under the carpet. The charge sheet certainly makes
disturbing reading:
- A
perceived culture of impunity
- Anecdotal
evidence of collusion with criminal gangs
- Persistent
rumors of extra-judicial killings
- A
total absence in some quarters of courtesy and people management skills
and techniques
- Poor
leadership and accountability
- Increasing
signs of corrupt practices
- Intimidation
using threats, verbal aggression and physical assaults
- Rogue
officers demanding sexual favors from both men and women
- Inadequate
fitness standards that sees many officers fall well below acceptable
levels for operational efficiency
- Excessive
use of police vehicles that are often driven in an aggressive manner with
little or no reason other than to manifest naked power. Sirens and blue
lights are routinely used to excess.
- Defensive
management structures that appear to manifest little or no cognizance of
the notion of public service
- A
tendency to go for ‘the low hanging fruit’ and ‘the quick win’ as opposed
to tackling serious organized crime and those elements at a higher level
who are responsible for serious criminality
- A
perceived aversion to investigating white collar crime
- As a
publicly funded institution there is considerable disquiet about the
increased politicization of the Police Service.
- Inadequate
training in regards to the current best practice concerning investigation
into crimes of a sexual nature, child abuse and various forms of cyber
crime. Much could be learnt in this regard by liaising with centers of
excellence such as: http://ceop.police.uk/
- Racial
discrimination – Certain ethnicities appear to receive preferential
treatment
A knee-jerk rejection of such concerns would speak volume of the
defensive mindset of some in senior roles. In a democracy we ignore
perceptions, misconceptions and anxiety at our peril. The issues that various
demographics, ethnicities, economic groups and even some political party leaders
are prepared to admit (even if in private) deserve to be taken seriously.
It would be utterly erroneous to portray the Police Service of Trinidad
& Tobago as in some way irrevocably broken. There are a great many
exemplary personnel doing a first rate job often in trying circumstances. It
must not be forgotten that the vast majority of officers are imbued by a desire
to perform their job in a professional manner, but are occasionally failed by
those in roles of responsibility. Conduct and attitude in police stations
across the country varies enormously and this is often down to those in charge
as well as issues concerning governance, resources, operational priorities and
the pressures to massage crime & detection figures. The challenge is to
demonstrate that as a public service the police are strong on value and values
and low on waste and misconduct. Effective training and the drawing on best
practice both locally and in the form of services that share a similar
tradition is vital if trust is to be restored. The police must strive to earn
the respect of all citizens, and equally the public must never lose sight of
the fact that every day police officers put their lives on the line in the
quest to keep us all safe and uphold the rule of law. Working to protect and
serve with pride is a constant challenge and requires first rate leadership,
high morale and the trust and co-operation of the very citizens that the police
are expected to serve and protect. If serious progress is to be made in addressing
the current ‘trust deficit’ the Police Commissioner and the Minister for
National Security will need to redouble their efforts and demonstrate a far
firmer grasp and candor concerning current failings. It is also imperative that
the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) be given real teeth that it has thus far
been denied. A strong case could also be made for the establishment of a
specialist Leadership Academy, one that nurtures the core values as well as the
humility needed by those called on serve in the 21st century. Finally, in view
of the unique role that the Police Service of Trinidad & Tobago plays
in working to uphold law and order it is high time that a national monument be
erected as a permanent memorial to all police officers who have killed in the
line of duty.
The challenge is demonstrating that as a public service the police are
strong on value and low on waste demonstrating that as a public service the
police are strong on value and low on waste.
30-Apr-2014 -
