Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:11 hours 37 min ago
Joseph: 249 police officers charged, 29 suspended
Published: 23 Sep 2009
Twenty-nine police officers are currently suspended and 249 have been charged with various offences, National Security Minister Martin Joseph said yesterday.
During his contribution to yesterday’s Senate debate on the 2009-10 budget, Joseph, speaking about the officers, said he had noted the view of some people who have queried transfers. Joseph said he had certain views on what should happen in such situations, but he said the authorities had to abide by the law. On improvements for the security sector, Joseph said “a comprehensive” amendment to the Defence Force Act—for a role in policing—plus a four-piece omnibus package of legislation were ahead.
Joseph said various countries, including the UK and US, were making greater use of their defence forces in their local security thrust. A team headed by retired Justice Ulric Cross has reviewed T&T’s Defence Act. The omnibus package includes proposals to outlaw gangs, amendments to the bail bill to prevent people out on bail to repeat crimes, a security of information bill to safeguard access to information in certain departments and proposals to intercept communication (wiretapping). Joseph also said T&T’s new National Security framework—recommended under the Ross Report—will be intelligence led, preventative and information oriented.
The report was done by HCR International Security Ltd of Canada, he said. He said the Cabinet accepted 275 of its 300 recommendations which reviewed 12 areas of T&T’s security sector from the National Security Council to the criminal justice system. The report is the result of extensive interviews of more than 150 serving and retired local security experts and a review of previous recommendations. Since the report’s first draft, Joseph said agencies have strengthend operations.
Increased collaboration between the Special Anti Crime Unit and police had led to a 29 per cent detection rate in gang-related murders and a 21 per cent murder detection rate or 2009 as opposed to 16 percent for the same period last year. Joseph said 916 roadblocks have led to 9,758 arrests plus seizure of 233 guns, 2,214 rounds of ammunition, 147.4 kg of cocaine and 3050.92 kg of marijuana and destruction of 45,050 marijuana trees. “However we’re seeing increased murders associated with altercations, robberies, domestic related matters,” Joseph added.
Police Officers
Police Officers Charged/suspended:
Mr. Joseph these numbers are of great concern to us.
While our country is over-run by criminals, we have our officers conducting themselves contrary to their Oath of Office. They have engaged themselves in activities one would expect from the criminals, not from our 'Finest' who we employ and expect to Serve and Protect us.
This problem was allowed to fester under your watch, and you must take full responsibility. As expected under civilised rules, you have no alternatives but to submit your resignation, and take your exit.
We do have concerns with the current consultant you have on board. His background does not give us the confidence we need to believe that he is fully conversant with our local crime situation.
We would have preferred you hire a team of locals specialised in the various aspect of the criminal elements in T&T.
Overwhelming us with statistics is not a pretty sight. We are not impressed. What we desire is to live in a country where we are safe and secure, not one where we are under a constant 'state of emergency'.
Charged with what. Are
Charged with what. Are there no breakdowns of the crimes with which they were charged? Were there any for kidnapping, murder, assault, corruption? What became of the charges? Were they convicted, released, were the charges dismissed, pending, what? Does anybody care?
So many calls for Joseph's
So many calls for Joseph's resignation and yet he is shameless enough to stay in his post, and Pa-trick is shameless enough to keep him there. One wonder what exactly is the relationship between these two that has Pa-trick defending Joseph down to the last.
One thing I have learnt about the PNM is that what one sees is often only the tip of a huge iceberg, and that relationship may be bigger or equal to PM's relationship with C Hart.
Jumbie's Watch
Gardenia you commented that
Gardenia you commented that "We would have preferred you hire a team of locals specialised in the various aspect of the criminal elements in T&T."
And where would you suggest they source these individuals from?
I am not condoning what is going on in the Police Service of Trinidad and Tobago or the government for that matter, however if you want real change you cannot rely on those inbred in the already tarnished culture, to lead change. You need fresh insights, independence and mavericks who think for themselves and are willing to rock the boat to achieve change. If the present consultant isn't delivering maybe it was because they did not do their homework when they sourced him.
Its also one thing to have a consultant's report and recommendations - however if the seniors within the police service are not onboard to change their practices it will be to no avail. Seniors/managers directly line manage staff and therefore have influence over them. If these seniors are not onboard and committed change would not occur.
Hiring a team of Local
Hiring a team of Local specialists:-
Stewpeas my friend in answer to your question?
We get them from our home grown stock:-
- UWI Institute of Criminal Thinking
- The Ken Gordon Committee on Crime
- Prof. Ramesh Deosaran, Independent Senator
- Captain Gary Griffith of the COP, and a Security Consultant
- Ian Alleyne
- Etc.
All qualified, experienced and respectable local sources.
I do hope the above list will provide you with the answer you are seeking.
Faith and Hope - Safety and Security.
The clueless Minister of
The clueless Minister of National Insecurity is proud of his 11% suspension rate (probably with pay). The other 220 have been reassigned to other stations so that they can spread their corruption among the force while investigatins are ongoing. The duncey minister should be more concerned about the hundreds that are out there preying on the citizens and participating in other illegal activities.
In his eagerness to boast,
In his eagerness to boast, our Minister of National Securidy has only made himself and his ministry more of a joke.
"A team headed by retired
"A team headed by retired Justice Ulric Cross has reviewed T&T’s Defence Act."
Is that the same former decorated pilot from World War 2?
There are so many younger talented individuals with cutting edge information who should have been chosen to lead the team.
Justice Cross having served the Country with distinction is a patriot who has retired from the Bench so long ago, let the goodly gentleman enjoy his retirement.
We need young minds who can take us forward. Give the Youths a chance.
Perhaps
Perhaps
A team headed by retired Justice Ulric Cross has reviewed T&T’s Defence Act
The term 'headed' suggests to me that Justice Cross chaired the review and perhaps oversaw the work of the young 'uns.
Those with 'cutting edge information' may not necessarily have had the nuances/experiences to bring to the table.
(Look at what happened with a) the gazetting of the Uff Enquiry. If it was Justice Cross' watch, I somehow think that ball would not have dared been dropped; and b) the errors in the budget and the helicopters statement. I have to limit myself to a) and b) as my resolution for this week is to write shorter posts!)
At least, Justice Cross is still working to earn his pension (to pay the property tax), rather than meeting with President Richards and asking for pension increases...
La Diva
Lately, we have been seeing
Lately, we have been seeing very good police work, lots of quick arrests. i applaud these hardworking members of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force.
"Increased collaboration between the Special Anti Crime Unit and police had led to a 29 per cent detection rate in gang-related murders and a 21 per cent murder detection rate or 2009 as opposed to 16 percent for the same period last year. Joseph said 916 roadblocks have led to 9,758 arrests plus seizure of 233 guns, 2,214 rounds of ammunition, 147.4 kg of cocaine and 3050.92 kg of marijuana and destruction of 45,050 marijuana trees. “However we’re seeing increased murders associated with altercations, robberies, domestic related matters,” Joseph added" Don S. NY
This what you will call a
This what you will call a "CORRUPT POLICE SERVICE".No wonder crime is out of control,when it's the "POLICE" themselves doing the crimes.
This is what I am reading
This is what I am reading 249 police officers have been charged with crime, 29 have been suspended because their crime has been deemed serious and 220 must have commited minor vehicular offenses.
And you wonder why crime in Trinidad so high?
THIS IS A JOKE.