Audit must deal with quantity and quality

However, let us not fool ourselves that this team, headed by criminologist Prof Ramesh Deosaran, former chairman of the Police Service Commission, will be wielding a “magic wand” and will thus be coming up with recommendations which will be a panacea that will remedy the long-standing and deep-seated ills of the Police Service.

I have heard it said, for example: (a) That the difficulties of the service started when prospective recruits were to possess O-Level and A-Level qualifications in order to have a chance of even being interviewed as to their suitability of being selected and, in consequence of which, the police officer has become “hide- bound” in the mold of the traditional civil servant rather than his/her being “on the beat” – a situation which has led to a divorcing of the police officer from the community to which he/she has been assigned.

(b) In the performance of his/ her duties, the police officer, being a human being, has not been encouraged to perform even normal duties conscientiously, far less to committing himself/herself to “going the extra mile,” on account of the lethargy and the slow movement in the system of the administration of justice.

© Corruption and misbehaviour in public office have become more prevalent than hitherto in the Police Service as offending officers seek an elevated lifestyle in order to “keep up with the Joneses.” (d) It has been stated officially that the Police Service numbers 8,000 officers — 6,000 full-time permanent and 2,000 Special Reserve — and that, therefore, by international standards, this country is well served in terms of numbers.

It follows, therefore, that Deosaran and his colleagues are expected to address such matters as: (1) Recruitment and the qualifications for entry into the Police Service.

(2) Organisational structure, the deployment of officers, inter- personnel relationships and responsibilities.

(3) Disciplinary procedures etc.

(4) Of course, matters relating to the quality of prospective officers and their promotion (or otherwise) will need to be addressed.

In light of the foregoing, I am constrained to direct attention to the character, as a police officer, of a man whom I would classify as a “model” police officer. I refer to Senior Superintendent Nunez Wilberforce Dennis who departed this life recently at the age of 80. A man who never forgot his humble beginnings, he rose through the ranks by way of: (a) His unstinting devotion and commitment to his office.

(b) His personal decency and respectful disposition.

© Most important, his community spirit which led him to know the area to which he was assigned as well as its people, in particular, which thus enabled him to establish that bond of mutual respect and confidence and interface which, inter alia, are necessary for successful policing.

Errol OC Cupid Trincity, Tacarigua