Why is Dr Rowley blaming the heads of the nine police divisions now? This is nothing new. Crime took off on this island after our independence when the PNM took control of this nation, and ever since it has been increasing.
The PNM, in particular, has failed time after time to come up with effective methods to halt the spiral of crime, especially the rise in the murder rate.
In recent years politicians have recognised the failure of our local police to catch murderers and deal with crime effectively. Our politicians have failed to ask for meaningful outside help and have refused to reinstate the death penalty which would act as a deterrent in stemming the high murder rate.
Not only that, but the governments have turned a blind eye when the police and the judiciary, it seems, decided to make corruption acceptable by offering silent protection to the offenders.
This is clearly evident as despite the fact that almost all crimes of corruption have been committed by citizens of status, you would not find any behind bars here.
The crime of kidnapping too has now become another acceptable crime as it is not now not reported as a criminal offence. The police, again with the obvious approval of politicians, have been allowed to reclassify this crime and only show what they say are kidnappings for ransom.
In 2015 there were 98 kidnappings but the police statistical report showed that there were only three kidnappings on this island.
Politicians here have allowed the local police to also become a law onto themselves when they were allowed to set up road blocks in protest for a pay rise. What has come out of that?
Politicians here were and are still fully aware of the perpetually rising crime and the failure of our police to deal effectively with the scenario because of bad leadership, lack of proper training and manpower.
Politicians here (including Dr Rowley) were well aware of the bad situation that existed hence the employment of Mr Gibbs and his deputy, to try to remedy the situation. We all know what happened to these police officials. Yes, they were sent packing with a fistful of taxpayers money once certain members of the establishment realised that all the underhand corruption and other illegal practices hidden by our police system may be revealed.
A mob of mafia-type of police officials with the assistance of bigoted politicians decided to give their approval for the removal of Mr Gibbs and his deputy Jack Ewatski. Their argument then was that our police force will be best served by a local police commissioner who knows what goes on here. So far this has not been proven.
In fact, things have gone from bad to worse, which is supported by the statement made by Mr Dillon.
Dr Rowley's statement is just another attempt to pull the wool over the eyes of our citizens by now allocating blame to the heads of the police divisions.
Politicians here, especially those of the PNM, must face the fact that they are responsible for our predicament which has been created by a lack of foresight, racial division within our politics, the bad examples they set with respect of their lawlessness caused by personal financial greed when they are in the corridors of power.
GA Marques