Police must deal with rogue cops for public support

THE EDITOR: Mr Winston Cooper, ACP, at a town meeting in San Juan pleaded with the public to co-operate with the police in the battle against crime. If Mr Cooper would put himself in the shoes of the public he might just realise that this is not easy for the average citizen to do. The miserable truth is that the police are reaping the seeds that they have sown for a long time now. The question that Mr Cooper should ask himself is why is society not coming forward to assist the police. Has it ever occurred to ACP Cooper that the overriding factor could be fear; fear of the police because of their ignorant and brutish behaviour. The police are now seeing the repercussions of the ill treatment meted out to ordinary citizens by rogue cops. I am no psychologist, but I believe I am right in saying that the average man and woman on the street, and the average young person, are intensely and genuinely terrified of police officers. This terrible “monster” is a creation of the police, so blame yourselves Mr Cooper.  

Perhaps Professor Deosaran can tell me if I am wrong in concluding that people are quite willing to help the police but they are overcome with fear. In all honesty can ACP Cooper believe that I would happily co-operate with a police officer when the very sight of one fills me with dread and sends shivers up my backbone. Their uncivil attitude towards the public leaves much to be desired and is contrary to their motto “To Protect and Serve.” The public has been subject to the most abusive, rude and disrespectful behaviour from the men and women in blue and grey, black, and khaki for decades now. It is only human that the former would want to have nothing to do with the police. Police brutality, verbal and physical, are a way of life in Trinidad and Amnesty International can confirm this. We have all heard stories of people who have gone into a station to make a report, or were stopped for a minor infringement, and were treated as if they were criminals or animals. It is inevitable to expect to be spoken to in a sarcastic and derogatory manner by police officers. Having lived and studied abroad and witnessed the stern but affable and friendly way the police treat the public, and then to return home and witness the gross attitude of our own police, can be a rude cultural shock!

In metropolitan countries when an officer engages in brutality or acts like a scoundrel he is severely dealt with, while here a rogue officer will get away unscathed. Every citizen knows that the Police Complaints Authority is a lame duck and the police cover for each other. My first terrifying experience with the police occurred when I was eleven: I remember it vividly because that was the year I wrote Common Entrance and it was the year of the attempted coup. My brother and his girlfriend had picked me from dance class one evening and on the way home we got into a minor accident. My brother decided to make a report immediately and proceeded to the nearest police station. The second we stepped into the station we were rudely confronted by an arrogant officer. He humiliated my brother in a most terrifying and horrible way, before my brother could make the report. In addition, his girlfriend was later cursed and brought to tears by the officer. (It was her car my brother was driving.) Little me also got my share and was threatened with “lock up” if I didn’t get my little (expletive) out of the station and in the car to wait.
 
Since then I have had the misfortune to spot this officer on about three occasions, years apart. On each occasion I suddenly started to cold sweat and felt my heart palpitating. The last time was last year when I went into a pharmacy at Library Corner, San Fernando. While waiting to be attended to the man standing in line next to me spoke and his voice was petrifyingly familiar. When I looked around it was the policeman. I suddenly felt faint and weak and I started hyperventilating. I hastily retreated out of the pharmacy without buying my medication. I have mentioned this experience to let Mr Cooper know that if that is the effect this rogue officer has on me, how can I feel comfortable to ever assist him one day if the need arises. Why do police officers take such pleasure in humiliating the ordinary citizen? Why do they demonstrate such lack of manners and upbringing? How many thousand fold times can my own experience be multiplied by members of society? Why are our police so verbally impoverished?  How many other people have received similar treatment at the hands of this one oriental officer?

The term “rogue cop” is well known in our country, but many insist that these “beasts in uniform” are in the minority. I want to strongly disagree and state that it is the other way around. Judging from the copious reports in the press over the years I would say that rogue cops immensely outnumber the good officers. And can the good cops be really good when they turn a blind eye to the transgressions of the rogues? I think not, Mr Cooper! Mr Cooper must admit that the police have only themselves to blame when they don’t get the support of society. The widening rift between police and the public is your fault, Mr ACP! The police need a  transformation in their attitude to citizens. The police need to know and respect the civil rights of the public. Mr Cooper and company need to get rid of the many rascal cops swiftly. The police need to smile a little, be approachable and polite. Then and only then will I feel at ease to co-operate with them. Believe me, Mr Cooper, I would love to assist your personnel but I am afraid of them.

MELANA BHAGGAN
Marabella