PSC Chairman: We must take back our country

CHRISTOPHER THOMAS, chairman of the Police and Public Service Commissions, said yesterday the time had come for the people of Trinidad and Tobago “to take back the country.” Speaking at the Rotary Club of Maraval’s luncheon at Singho Restaurant in Long Circular Mall, Thomas said the security of the citizens of this country must be restored. Thomas, who was a diplomat and Independent Senator, told Rotarians everyone had a part to play if Trinidad and Tobago were to return to some level of normalcy. Thomas said the judiciary, police, prison, and the people all have a part to play. “We must take back our country. If we can raise the level of awareness, then government will have to listen. There will have to be the closing of the gap between the Government and the Opposition in the interest of the people.

We must close ranks in the interest of the country and the people of the nation,” he added. Thomas said the situation was bad and decided to give members of the Rotary Club an example of the depth to which the society has reached. Thomas said while he was a member of the Senate, he spoke with three victims of kidnappings. “They indicated to me when they were kidnapped, and the places they were taken.They told me that the kidnappers said to them — this is your bank statement, we know exactly what you have in your account. So let us understand, this is what we want, we know you have it.” The former diplomat said there must be rehabilitation within the prison system.

If this does not happen, there will be a re-cycling of chronic criminal activity. “The situation is so terrible in the prison, they hoard hardened criminals. There is no system of rehabilitation. For years the government has been talking about rehabilitation, but nothing was done.” Thomas spoke of the role and function of the Police Service Commission. He said the function of the Commission was detailed in the constitution. Since being sworn in as chairman on July 1, however, Thomas said he has gone outside the parameters and tried to raise the level of awareness of his Commission. Admitting  he has discussed certain issues with commissioner of police, Thomas was quick to note that the Commission would continue to be independent.