Anti-crime talks on target

As we had predicted, the anti-crime talks between Prime Minister Patrick Manning and Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday focused mostly on legislation. In announcing the new measures, Mr Manning emphasised that new laws were only part of the battle, but it does appear that the focus is right on target. Of the nine pieces of legislation to be brought on Parliament’s front-burners, three stand out. These are changes in the appointment and removal of senior police officers, including the Commissioner and members of the Police Service Commission; the setting up for a Gun and Kidnapping Court; and an amendment to the Bail Act which will keep persons charged with violent crimes and kidnapping behind bars for a specific length of time.

This newspaper has argued time and time again that the battle against crime cannot be won if those on the front line are also criminals. If the fish does indeed rot from the head, then it is useless to expect lower-ranking officers to adhere to the best standards of integrity when those in charge are either corrupt or incompetent. However, if changes are made to ensure that senior police officers can be readily removed, it is also incumbent that the Police Commissioner be granted wide powers to remove lower-level officers who have abused their authority by beating suspects, failing to respond to complaints, or otherwise carrying out their duties in an unprofessional manner.

We therefore hope that, when this particular piece of legislation comes to Parliament, the CoP’s powers will be widened accordingly. After all, a person cannot be held accountable for non-performance unless they are given the power to perform. The proposed Gun and Kidnapping Court also seems to be a good idea. Everyone accepts that swift justice is essential to the restoration of law and order to the country. Since gun-related crimes and kidnappings are the two most pernicious criminal acts right now, it makes sense to expedite these matters by putting them in a special court. This measure goes hand in hand with the proposed amendment to the Bail Act, which would see persons charged with violent crimes and kidnapping being denied bail. However, part of the amendment is that these individuals must be put on trial within a few months or else they can go free.

This necessary caveat sounds like an Opposition idea, since they have insisted that all new legislation must embody the protection of civil liberties and the Manning administration, since assuming office, has displayed an almost cavalier disregard for such principles in its legislative agenda. While Mr Manning and Mr Panday have been praised for holding these talks, we must bear in mind that the announced agenda is only the first step on a long journey. The legislation must now be drafted and brought to Parliament. This in itself is a problem, since Trinidad and Tobago sorely lacks persons expert in drafting. In addition, both the Government and Opposition will surely seek their own advantage when the Bills are laid, which could well end up stymieing the entire process. Both sides, however, had better bear in mind that there will be a heavy political price to pay if last week’s talks do not bear fruit, and do so in the very near future.