Making Snaggs the fall guy

THE EDITOR: I would like to nominate Mr Everald Snaggs for the longest acting career award. It is the longest time anyone has acted as the CoP and has not been given the position. The length of time an individual can act in a position is three months. Anytime his acting term goes beyond three months it must be assumed that he is not qualified or suitable for the position. It does not surprise me that the number of this year’s homicides will be the highest in the history of Trinidad and Tobago. The reason for this is that the government has an actor in charge. They do not seem to understand the psychological effect and uncertainty that an acting position creates for the individual or for the police force. The psyche of the police officers changes because they are not quite certain as to who should be really giving the orders or who really is in charge. Morale also drops and the result is a less responsive police force. The Manning administration has shown a greater love for the Army. Meanwhile, it must be noted that several police stations are in a state of disrepair.

The Army is supposed to be able to repel foreign invaders, instead we see them being unleashed in the Caroni protest a few months ago. What really is the crime fighting plan? How much political influence is there in the promotion of police officers? The Army has been given much equipment to fight the criminal elements, the latest from the Chinese government. How much equipment is being given to the police departments? How can any government expect police officers to lay their lives on the line for the citizens of this country if they are being treated so badly? I have always felt a deeper sense of comfort when I see a police officer. I know he is there to uphold the law and to ensure that criminals are kept at bay. At this season when it’s easy to point one’s finger at police officers let us bear in mind that they are humans. That they are functioning within a structure that is outdated. An independent police force is the best alternative. One would recall a few years ago when the then Opposition leader Mr Manning called the Marabella Police Station inquiring about an individual close to him. The dynamics of policing has changed and the government is now prepared to look to the nation’s most decorated soldier Brigadier Joseph to bring in the final solution. Already there has been several raids in Central. If you have a Chinese chopper under your bed head watch out you could be arrested for possession of arms.

It could be worse if you seek to defend yourself after your door has been broken down at 4 am in the morning. As they say “dead man tells no tales.” Can Trinis expect the new year to herald in a type of Army/police venture or would this elite paramilitary force be sent to do the Prime Minister’s bidding? Eric Gairy needed the “mongoose gang” lest we forget. This letter may seem a bit “suspicious” of government crime plans. We must all be a bit suspicious of the PNM agenda. It is an agenda that is being hatched in the cradle of military allegiance to the party. You know what they say, “If the Army for you, who could stop you.” I suppose we are seeing democracy at work, PNM style, but seriously who really cares. In the meantime the government should not make Mr Snaggs the fall guy for the runaway crime situation. They must either appoint a more favoured son or please end the uncertainty for the police force and for the sake of the citizenry.

KHEM HARRINARINE
Port-of-Spain