Say no to Police Reform Bill, Dr Rowley

THE EDITOR: An open letter to Honourable Dr Keith Rowley — MP Diego Martin West. Dear Keith, the Public Relations Campaign by the Government re the Police Reform Bill has succeeded in getting me to contact you, my Parliamentary Representative. I have to ask you not to support the bill. I hasten to add that while I agree with the section of disbanding the Police Service Commission, replacing it with a Police Management Authority will do absolutely nothing to create a better Police Force, and stem the tide of crime which has engulfed us. Same khaki pants.

I saw you on television the other night sitting in the front row of St Finbar’s Church attending the meeting on crime. St Finbar’s is my church and I reside in its parish community. I chose not to attend the meeting, not because I didn’t care, or couldn’t be bothered or had no concern. I did not attend because I felt it would be a waste of time and effort. You see Keith, we’ve been there and done that. Day after day, year after year, it’s the same rubbish. Delegations by a hapless bunch of people to the Prime Minister, Commissioner of Police, Chief Justice, Police Service Commission, Law Association and on and on. Marching all over the place. Gun talk by useless politicians with the same cretin-like responses. Billions of dollars (our money) being spent on the Police Service, new cars, stations, more police. Letters to the Editors. Crime Stoppers, Crime Watches all over the place. Righteous indignation, the whole country up in arms.

The result of all of this? Crime is worse than ever. In fact, as you left the church, three old ladies were attacked by bandits, not too far from where you were. You get the picture. Now Keith, don’t get me wrong, it isn’t that I have lost hope. There is always hope. The fact is that this foolishness by our leaders has got to stop. No amount of legislation, ole talk, pussy-footing is going to solve the problem with the Police Service. As one of your constituents, I am therefore asking you to approach the Prime Minister and Cabinet, tell them that enough is enough. Forget the Bill, forget Panday, forget PR Campaign and take the Police Service by the scruff of the neck and get them to perform. Declare a limited State of Emergency and remove constitutional rights, particularly those of the Police Service.
Hire a Manager, such as Mr Sheppard, to take over the force. Give him full authority to:-
1) Return the Police Service to a Paramilitary Police Force.
2) Abolish the 40-hour week.
3) Abolish overtime.
4) Recall all police on leave.
5) Fire those who are on extended sick leave.
6) Send all desk-bound police packing, to a beat.
7) Raise the bar on entry qualifications to an IQ of 125.
8) Most importantly, institute every single recommendation of the Scotland Yard Report.

Then and only then, the criminals and the Police will see that our leaders are serious and just imagine, we will get some results. Now Keith, you must impress upon the Prime Minister and the Cabinet that this action must be taken now. Tell your Prime Minister that he must govern. The entire country will support you. Don’t take on the criticism and fall out.

That is bound to happen. If the police march, deal with it. The talking heads and bleeding heart liberals will be jumping up all over the place. I repeat “Don’t take them on.” Of course Keith, this will not solve all of our problems overnight. There are many other things that have to be done. But it will be a positive start. Do not hesitate to call me if you wish to discuss the matter further. Good luck.

FRANK MOUTTET
Port-of-Spain