Some $5.664 billion was allocated for National Security in 2022, and this includes the TTPS. The begging question is, how can this be dissected and astutely utilised to make ‘proper sense’ to Ministry of National Security personnel and the national security community?
Planning, implementation and more importantly, efficiency in how that $5.664b is spent will be critical.
1. Comparative Analysis – Fiscal 2021 vs Fiscal 2022
In the Minister’s Budget statement for fiscal 2021 and his discourse on safety and security measures, he highlighted the Government’s commitment “to the fight against crime and criminality.” Of particular interest in that presentation was the provision of more resources directed at the fight against white collar corruption. This, he said, “will be facilitated by the hiring of more expert forensic investigators, auditors, lawyers and others to pursue white collar corruption.” Also, “the provision of more resources to the Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) to tackle money laundering and white-collar crime investigations.”
In the 2022 Budget, while there wasn’t’ a keen focus on this element of national security, it may be that the injection of the measures from 2021 will be felt over the next 2-3 years and we will need to revisit its impact as the years progress and evaluate.
2. People vs Projects - Priority needs for national security personnel (An overview of social services, eg. health, housing and training).
For every social inclusion programme identified in the Budget, it may not explicitly name national security personnel (NSP), so we may be uncertain how they (NSP) may directly benefit from a billion-dollar budget. We know focus is given to edifices, vehicles, sporting fields, etc., but for the average NSP, how do they see themselves fitting into this picture. How can this $5.664 billion find its ways closer to them, through health, housing and training? By nature, NSP are committed to country and duty because to a large degree, it is embedded in their training. However, can we see improved performance in the discharge of their functions if they feel or believe that their personal concerns, their family life and the national security community, is featured or considered in national budgets?
Health
I need to touch on health first and focus on mental health and well-being. During this period, we will hear very often the term, ‘a whole of government approach’, but placing this standard-bearer without laying adequate foundation, we may topple-over. NSP account for a fairly large percentage of public officials/officers with a unique type of training and responsibilities. By the very nature of their responsibilities, some highly sensitive, highly stressed environments, long periods to which they must function, this weighs heavily on their well-being. Very recently, we heard of the loss of a female police officer to possible suicide and the unfortunate incident of a domestic dispute which led to a police officer being shot by a close female relative, who subsequently died. Then there is the loss of NSP to COVID-19. What does that suggest? While they (NSP) are on duty/call, their mental state/well-being may not be satisfactory. These are just a few of the recent incidents that we see playing out tragically and were placed in the public domain, but unfortunately, there may be others.
While ‘a whole of government approach’ is considered and is absolutely necessary, within that mix, administrators of this $5.664b to National Security, must place mental health and well-being in a prominent place. T&T has a Mental Health Policy by Cabinet Minute No 1868 (of Sept 12, 2019), and in that Cabinet Minute it looks at:
• The decentralisation of mental health services from the St Ann’s Psychiatric Hospital
• The reorganisation of mental health services towards a community-based mental health system
• The establishment of an integrated system of mental health care and social support series in the community
The question is, are we aware of such facilities and support.
What really is mental health and well-being? The World Health Organization defines it as, “A state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.”
To get to a place where we see mental health and well-being as part of the natural course of life, we have to:
• Speak more about it, embrace the philosophy that our mental well-being is just as important as going to the gym to ensure we look well ‘chiselled’!
• Encourage NSP to utilise the service of professional counsellors through the Employee Assistance Programmes or social workers that are available
• Discontinue the view that if you seek professional support, then something is wrong with you. Take steps to end the stigma and discrimination against persons with mental health disorders
• Be resilient and adopt protective factors in order to face daily challenges and also learn to embrace the physical, emotional and spiritual elements of life, for yourself and your families.
Housing
In the past, internal support may have been given to personnel who live in high-risk communities upon a request or as the need arises. But this comes with years of pleading and advocating through the associations etc. Can incentives position our NSPs to take greater pride in carrying out their functions, and that incentive might include having a programme of recognition with not only a plaque but also tangibles. We must return to the time when honesty and merit counts and incentivisation/recognition of excellence from NSPs should be included when we breakdown the 5.664 billion.
The Minister spoke of the push in this budget on the socio-economic side, in order to normalise our society in the post COVID-19 world. We heard of the TTMF and HMB mergers and that HDC will be redesigned to create two separate entities – one as landlord and another as developer of property.
Is there any particular arrangement to ensure that NSPs benefit/are supported in the desire to be in safe communities (albeit all of country should be safe), it is not our realty.
We know all too well the experiences of our prison officers in particular. Can NSPs see a brighter day in 2022? When a situation with our NSPs are assessed, is it moved with alacrity to ensure that they are in safe communities and their families are comfortable?
In this period, our country should seek to have ‘sustainable families.’ By this, I mean when a man’s household (wife and children) is safe and secure, how much more can he function? Peace of mind can therefore breed productivity.