Police Reform Bills passed

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning has hailed the passage of the Police Reform Bills in the House of Representatives yesterday, as a “major step forward” in the fight against criminal elements in the country.

“This is a historic day,” he told members, after an energetic burst of desk thumping from Government MPs. “While it would not give us a change in the crime situation tomorrow, it has set the stage for a better future when the national community will have confidence in the Police Service,” Manning added.

The PM said he considered the passage of the package of three bills, as a “very historical moment in the life of Parliament.” The Police Complaints Authority Amendment Bill was passed without amendment.

The other two — an act to amend the Constitution to reform the Police Service Commission, which confers powers on the Commissioner of Police to control and manage the Police Service and an act to consolidate, amend and revise the law relating to the Police Service to ensure efficient and transparent management of the Service and to ensure the principles of equity and meritocracy are applied at all times, were passed with amendments.

“I’ve been here a number of years and have seen all kinds of legislation passed, but this package is really landmark legislation,” Manning said. He added that a number of countries in the region have been monitoring these bills and would wish to emulate this example.

Former president Sir Ellis Clarke and his team of technocrats, also came in for high praise from Manning who said they sat for long hours hammering out the “arrangement” which was subject to approval. And the PM even thanked the Opposition for their contributions.

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday who had a court appearance yesterday morning, was absent from the House, but Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar requested that Manning set up a dedicated committee to implement the bills.

“These bills have paved the way for other Caricom countries,” she agreed. “But implementation is not going to be easy.” To which Manning replied, “I agree in principle with the proposal of the distinguished Member for Siparia.”