Colombia can’t help solve crime problem

It is left to be seen how Colombia, the world’s largest producer and distributor of cocaine and the country with the highest per capita death rate and the most kidnappings would help Trinidad and Tobago in the battle against crime, but I will remain optimistic.

What I would like to know from the Minister of National Security is if he was made aware by the Colombian representative of the steps her government has taken in their crime-fighting initiatives.

To quote a recent report from Bogota; “Colombia’s secret police agency yesterday fired nine detectives after they failed lie-detector tests aimed at purging corruption from the scandal-plagued agency. Among those sacked were an agent in the anti-kidnapping unit and another who worked alongside agents of the International Police Organisation (Interpol).” the agency known as DAS, said in a statement; The tests discovered “presumed irregular conduct in the performance of the duties,” it said.

The agency did not provide further details or indicate whether additional investigations may have led to the detective’s firings.

The four-hour lie detector tests will continue into early next year at the 7,000 employee agency, DAS said.

I am taking the opportunity to raise an issue that has been bothering me for months.

At the infamous crime debate in Parliament some months ago, the Minister of National Security whined his way through his presentation and announced that the population could ignore all rumours that members of the Anti-Kidnapping squad were involved in kidnappings since all members were subjected to a lie-detector test and passed.

About a month later however it was reported in the press that a number of members were refusing to participate in the exercise and were seeking legal advice on the constitutionality of these tests.

Mr Joseph owes the beleaguered citizens an explanation.