Amidst allegations of brutal use of force, corruption and killings by police officers, both civilian oversight bodies in T&T are headless.It is a shame to this nation that alleged police atrocities remain unchecked, and the clamouring by the Police Complaints Authority and the Police Service Commission for increased powers has been unsuccessful.
Year after year, both of these agencies have complained of the lacunae in their legislation–the lack of enforcement mechanisms to use their powers, and the severe lack of resources and independence from the Government.I therefore respect both Professor Deosaran and Ms Lucky for their resignations, since it seemed as though they were knocking their heads on steel doors.
There have been numerous calls from all corners of our society for both of these agencies to be given due attention by the Government.
Business leaders, the international community and civil society have recognised the importance of these types of agencies in ensuring police powers are not abused, citizens' rights are observed, and police administrators are held accountable for the performance of their agencies.
Yet the lack of government will has resulted in the two agencies being reduced to mere paper-pushing ones; goals of independent oversight of the police in our country remain unfulfilled. The result is a demotivated police service, an increase in police misbehaviour and a distrusting citizenry–the exact ingredients for social upheaval and a disintegration of our society into anarchy.
I therefore wait for the Government to honour its promise to "bear true faith and allegiance to T&T" by doing what we all know needs to be done to improve public confidence in the police service, so we can start to reduce and detect crime.
KB
San Fernando