Ban plainclothes cops with guns in fetes

Sources in the entertainment industry have disclosed concerns about policemen, who while in plainclothes, abuse their authority. The reckless behaviour of off-duty cops is a growing concern as the number of deaths increase at the hands of policemen. Security at fetes is a serious matter and it is not surprising that promoters employ armed and unarmed guards to protect their paying patrons.

A fete promoter told Sunday Newsday that his workers witnessed several incidents around the Carnival period, in which police officers, dressed in plainclothes, including shortpants and tee-shirts, knocked on doors at fetes, announcing that they were police officers and entered the venue free of charge. The promoter said his workers witnessed these police officers partying and drinking with weapons in their possession, even though they were not there officially as hired plainclothes officers. Entertainment officials find this disturbing, saying that this type of  behaviour by police officers should be banned. One management official whose premises was the scene of a shooting death, said that once the plainclothes officer is off-duty, he should not be allowed in fetes with a weapon.

Instead, he feels they should use more conventional weapons like batons, which allow a more controlled form of security, rather than the “touch and go” death effect of guns. Promoters have said they will strengthen their front-door policy, so that all police officers entering the parties will have to be properly identified.  A member of the Estate Police Association (EPA) said it is irresponsible for any police officer who is trained to control a crowd to fire indiscriminately at someone.

As for the issue of plainclothes officers being allowed into public fetes with guns, the official felt that too many security firms were exploiting policemen for private parties, without doing proper background checks of the officers’ training. Another promoter who was outspoken on the issue was Roy Maharaj, who organises some of the largest fetes for the Carnival season such as Flour Mills, Soca Derby, Licencing, Nurses, Army and PNM fetes. Pointing out that fete promoters should not be blamed for incidents involving police officers, he said: “Plainclothes police officers should not be allowed into a fete with weapons.” Maharaj said law is needed in order to monitor such activities.

Acting Police Commissioner: Police should not abuse their authority

Acting Commissioner of Police, Trevor Paul, said all police officers must be professional at all times and they should not abuse their authority. He said he is also aware that the majority of citizens have lost faith in the service and authorities were trying to restore public confidence. Referring to cases in which a police officer may find himself implicated, Paul said the officer will be tried according to law to determine if he used the weapon indiscriminately and is subject like any other citizen to the law. Responding to reports about police abusing their authority, he said: “Any police officer who abuses his power and authority — that is wrong. Police officers abusing their power is something the administration of the police service will never condone.” He is appealing to the public that if they have complaints against the police to go to the Police Complaints Authority, through which they can levy complaints which will consequently be investigated.

Told that citizens don’t have faith in the Authority, Paul said he was aware of this and was working towards restoring public confidence and making them feel safe. “The extent to which they have lost confidence in the police service is quite obvious. There is a perception that the police cannot be trusted and we are working on this,” he said. Paul said this is one of the biggest challenges in the police service, which is to turn that perception around and conduct themselves in a more professional manner.   He noted that they needed to reach out to the public since the service cannot function properly without their support. “That is why police behaviour must always be professional. We have to conduct ourselves within that type of framework, anything other than that is not proper police behaviour,” he insisted.

He said just like any other service in TT, there were those who fall through the cracks and may find themselves in wrong-doings. “We have to remember, however, you will never find any institution in the country that is perfect. The police service is not the kind of service from a utopian state where everything is right, clean and perfect,” said Paul. He agreed that there is a need for anger management counselling within the police service, stating that this is done from the training level, right through to senior officers. Paul said the number of police officers who are deployed at a fete venue depends on the size of the event. If it is a major event, a plainclothes officer might prove to be quite useful. “This is why we provide both types of police officers, plainclothes and uniformed,” he said. He gave as an example, a plainclothes officer who may detect unsuspecting individuals ready to engage in illegal activities, while uniformed police officers may be too far away to detain the person.

Paul said there is no law which prevents a plainclothes officer from being hired for fetes. “We determine the kind of security needed for the event, according to predicted size of the fete,” he said. Police officers working at carnival fetes are mainly off-duty officers who are paid by the promoters. He said it is the Commissioner of Police who authorises police officers to work in private functions. This is usually termed “extra duty” within the service and it is lawful since it is sanctioned by the Commissioner.

Responding to the recommendation by the promoters that police officers working in carnival fetes should not use guns, Paul said: “A police officer who is armed at any function should not use his weapon in an indiscriminate  manner. He knows when the time is right to use his firearm.” He pointed out the need for the use of a weapon and asked what if the police officer is faced with a situation in which he needs to withdraw the gun. “If his judgment is sound and reasonable, then it is okay to use his weapon,” he said.  Noting that despite thorough searches by security officials, there are the small numbers of people who enter into fetes with weapons such as icepicks, knives and other sharp instruments, Paul appealed to the entry point security to be more vigilant and thorough in their searches.
 
Psychologist calls on police not to panic Clinical and Forensic Phsychologist, Dr Stanley Bishop, has called on police officers to use their weapons in a more controlled manner and not to panic in critical situations, remembering their first call of duty, which is to “protect and serve.” Dr Bishop, who had experience in psychological training of police officers in the US, said one of problems with police training in TT, is telling them “fire or be killed”, since they are trained to protect themselves first. He said the disadvantage with this form of training is the inability to control the “fear factor” in real crime situations. “There is a big fear factor attached to being targetted as police officers, the fear is a natural instinct.  That is why they feel safer carrying their weapons with them, even off-duty,” said Dr Bishop.

He said what police officers have to realise is that once a weapon is in their hands, they have the power over life and death.  He suggested that police officers carrying weapons fire warning shots first. Is there a code of silence within the police service, in which the fraternity protects its own in times of trouble? Dr Bishop suggested the setting up of a separate department of “internal affairs” at the DPP’s office, in which the “straight” police officers can report incidents of corruption without fear and reprisal. He said he was quite happy to see the Director of Public Prosecutions, Geoffrey Henderson, act quickly on the matter, pointing out there needed to be speedier implementation of justice.