Martin Joseph calls for co-operation in crime fight

Speaking at the PNM’s 2005 Laventille East/Morvant constituency conference at the Russell Latapy High School in Morvant on Saturday, Joseph said this initiative was imperative because all citizens must understand that "crime is everyone’s business." Reiterating Government’s commitment to winning the war against crime, Joseph identified the media and business community as two of its major partners in the effort, but also two of its biggest critics. "It is important for media and business people to understand the nature of crime, what causes it and how to fight it. Only then they can formulate reasonable expectations and steer public anger in right direction. Only then can they escape the entrapment in the politics of crime and the manipulation of politicians," he declared.

Joseph said messages from some sections of the media and business community like "do something to stop crime otherwise" or "crime escalating" are not productive.

The minister said the business community must engage Government in productive dialogue and try to complement the Government in areas where it may be constrained. "To win the war on crime, frustration must be replaced with co-operation," he added.

Noting concerns raised by Police Service Commission chairman Christopher Thomas during a parliamentary Joint Select Committee last week, the minister revealed that psychometric testing and polygraph testing are now being used to ensure that persons recruited into the Police Service were persons "of a certain level of integrity." He added that the qualifications for persons to enter the service are being enhanced and the public has a say in the recruitment of police officers through the publication of potential recruits photos and other relevant information in the newspapers.

Joseph said as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen a social pact with the population to win the war against crime, the ministry plans to allow the public to provide direct information to the police via a secure and confidential phone line.

Noting that TT’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to transnational drug and arms traffickers, Joseph also said that Government was taking steps to eradicate an emerging heroin trade. He added that this was why Government was acquiring security assets such as three offshore patrol vessels for the Coast Guard and a coastal radar system to monitor borders.

Joseph said there are no plans to scrap the Police Service despite the allegations of corruption made against some of its members, and Government was making every effort to reform the service for better efficiency and effectiveness.