Something is wrong with our police
THE EDITOR: In most countries of the world, the Police Service as well as other peace-keeping and security agencies depend largely on information supplied to them by members of the public as well as undercover agents, to assist in the investigation of crime with a view to locating and identifying the perpetrators and to bring them to justice. This however can only take place where there is reciprocal cooperation with members of the public on the part of the police. Unfortunately the training of police recruits that enter the service is sadly lacking in content and quality and is totally devoid of any training in public relations and in the appropriate manner of dealing with members of the public. In fact the hostile manner in which law-abiding citizens are treated by interrogating officers, would lead one to believe that it was a seasoned criminal being questioned. Although I am a civic minded law-abiding citizen dedicated to maintaining peace and order, I must admit that the response that I have received from the police on several occasions has left serious doubt in my mind, as to the validity of their motto "To Protect and Serve." In the 1960s when I lived at Charlotte Street, St Joseph, I was awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of what I thought to be a multiple car crash. I got into my car and speedily drove to the site of the accident to find all the two-inch pipe railing on the side of the roadway demolished and a Vanguard Station Wagon overturned on the hood and several bodies slaying motionless in the grass. Realising that I needed help and that an ambulance was required immediately, I drove to the St Joseph Police Station a mere few metres away for assistance where the officers on duty requested all sorts of irrelevant information while persons lay unconscious on the ground. They then informed me that the driver of the lone jeep had gone up the road to get something but as soon as he returned they would come. I asked again that they call an ambulance and was assured that they would take care of everything. When I returned to the site of the accident to see if I could further assist, I was told that another good Samaritan had informed the San Juan fire brigade and that an ambulance had already taken the injured persons to hospital. About 20 minutes after, the police jeep with siren blaring with a contingent of police arrived on the scene and menacingly with batons raised ordered everyone to clear the site and get out of the way. So much for their proud motto "To Protect and Serve." MARTIN KAVANAGH La Romaine
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"Something is wrong with our police"