When police officers must pay ‘compliments’

THE EDITOR: Ms Editor, please permit me a space in your newspaper to highlight creeping irregularities in the police service with respect to the paying of compliments in two areas. I was privileged to witness the ceremonial opening of parliament on the tenth instant. I observed on the arrival of His Excellency the President on Abercromby Street, Port-of Spain the national anthem began to play and to my surprise, police officers who were off the actual parade and fully dressed in police uniform (unarmed) came to attention without giving a “hand salute.” I must also mention that this was not the first time I made this observation. This is not the Queen’s Regulations which guide police officers with respect to the paying of compliments when the national anthem is being played.

As I understand the Military Practice and Regulations, being an instructor and having taught the drill myself, the following applies when the national anthem is being played:

(a) when on parade or in an organised party, all ranks will stand at attention, but only officers will salute;
(b) when not on parade, but in uniform, all ranks will salute;
(c)   when not on parade and in plain clothes, all ranks will stand at attention;
(d) sentries will shoulder arms;

The officers therefore should have complied with (b). Another observation I have made is that police officers fully dressed in uniform failing to pay compliments to the “bier” (movable stand for a coffin). Again, as I understand the said Regulations and Practice, it matters not whether it is a police or military funeral, all ranks passing a military funeral will salute the bier. Formed bodies will pay the appropriate compliments. I am fully aware that these drills are taught at the Police Training College but apparently ignored when the occasion arises. I respectfully submit that the Commissioner of Police, by his “orders,” sensitise police officers about their obligations with respect to the above observation.

ALEXANDER  PRINCE
Former Police Drill Instructor