Some suggestions CoP

But the CoP must bear in mind that whatever measures he takes cannot be merely cosmetic. After all, the public’s lack of trust in police officers is to a great extent justified, and last Monday’s efficiency is only a temporary fillip for the police. It is just a matter of time before citizens recall the persistent rumours of police involvement in kidnapping, for example, which have gained credence with recent developments where two Special Reserve Officers have been implicated in one kidnapping for ransom, while two other officers were recently freed on assault and kidnapping charges because the victim did not show up to testify. Nor will citizens readily forget that a gun which went missing from the St James police station was recovered from bandits who had used it in committing armed robbery. This has also added fuel to the allegation that some police officers rent guns out to criminals in return for a fee.

The only way to deal with such officers is to kick them out of the Service, even if there isn’t enough hard evidence to actually charge them. The Police Service, after all, is a quasi-military organisation, which means that its members should have fewer, not more, rights than ordinary citizens. But accomplishing this requires specific prerequisites — the CoP himself must be given more authority to hire and fire, and the Police Complaints Authority must be given the authority and the resources to process allegations of misconduct against officers more quickly and efficiently.

The Government has been arguing that the Police Reform Bills will accomplish exactly this. The Opposition has refused to support these Bills on the grounds that they give too much power to the Prime Minister.

It is certainly a given fact that we do not want politicians to have direct control over the protective services. Such a situation is a recipe for disaster in any society. However, despite the need for legislation to improve the Service, Mr Paul can still take certain action. A news feature by Francis Joseph in the last Sunday Newsday, for example, pointed to the similarity in apparel worn by some private security firms and certain branches of the Police Service. Bandits, especially kidnappers, have been posing as officers in order to approach their victims. But one reason the bandits have been able to do this is because too many police officers do not conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Mr Paul can start here. He should emphasise to his officers the need to courteous, even when dealing with known criminals. Officers here seem to believe that manners are a sign of weakness, whereas the opposite is actually the case.

The CoP must also insist that officers follow the law when carrying out their duties — showing warrants, for example, and always displaying identification, including giving badge numbers and names when requested.

This is only a small start. But it will surely help in restoring citizens’ trust in police officers. And this trying time, when citizens appreciate the police and when officers themselves have been sharply reminded of their grave responsibilities, is surely the best moment for Commissioner Paul to begin his improvement campaign.