Make the UNC support Police Bills

ACTING Attorney General Camille Robinson-Regis ap-pealed to the population to convince the UNC to support passage of the Police Reform Bills in Parliament, saying former prime minister Basdeo Panday knows this legislation can help to reduce crime in Trinidad and Tobago. In an address to the nation last night, Robinson-Regis said the lives of all citizens “are being threatened by crime and violence” and across the globe, higher levels of crime is a challenge faced by all nations. She said nations and cities that have been successful in combating crime have done so with “the full unity and support of all their citizens and new operational, administrative, political and legislative measures providing a comprehensive attack against crime and lawlessness.”

Reiterating Government’s re-solve to “substantially reduce the high levels of crime recorded for this country,” the acting AG said Government has already taken several measures within the ambit of the existing legislative and institutional framework to strengthen the capability of law enforcement agencies to reduce the level of criminal activity. She listed formation of the Special Anti Crime Unit, increasing the size of the Police Service and increased funding for the National Security Min-istry as some of these measures. Stating that tough anti-crime legislation was the final piece of the puzzle, Robinson-Regis said it was Panday who declared that the Police Reform Bills would “produce a Police Service that enjoys more confidence and trust from the general public and that is truly empowered to wage the war on crime.” 

Robinson-Regis then quoted a statement made by Panday on July 13, 2001 in the House of Representatives, which said: “As co-leaders of the bi-partisan team, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition (Patrick Manning) and I are of the view that the necessary legislation should be enacted as a matter of urgency after due consideration of the anticipated comments. “In recognition of this we  must urgently take the measures necessary to release the Police Service from the archaic colonial structure which should long ago have been replaced by a system which will ensure that our Police Service attracts and retains the country’s finest.”

Robinson-Regis then added, “From the outset, the anti-crime legislation was seen as a bi-partisan measure that transcended party loyalties and considerations. Both the then Government and the former Opposition agreed that as far back as 1999 on the legislative approach required to modernise the Police Service and empower its officers to fight the lawless. The present Opposition was instrumental in tabling this package of legislation on the agenda of the Parliament and this current Government is committed to the passage of the legislation. “We therefore call on the Opposition to put country first and demonstrate its responsibility to the national community by giving its full support to these legislative instruments,” she declared. Robinson-Regis urged the population to “play your part and exercise your will to secure the passage of this legislation.”