Continuing from last week, let’s examine new National Security projects that received funding in fiscal 2020/2021. This is predicated against social services for National Security Personnel (NSP). How important is people/NSP? We say that our human resource is our greatest asset. But, is this seen or felt by our NSP? In the 2020/2021 financial year new projects that received funding, we saw the installation of CCTVs, acquisition of interceptors, construction of fences etc. Those who are responsible for managing national security in a time when there is a somewhat high ‘fear’ of crime in-country, how can we make the adjustment to a more ‘people-centric allocation.’
Focus for a moment on our law enforcement agencies; include in that focus, the spaces in which they operate, salaries, etc. The function of human resource management/people-centredworkspaces/people-centred management is believed to contribute to employee satisfaction, improve productivity and performance. It also contributes to the organisation’s clear vision and overall success.
While there were some improvements with the construction of police stations and purchase of marine vessels, we may need to improve our prison facilities, in this case both the physical plants and the mental well-being of those who are in that environment.
Training
In the Budget discussion, we heard of digital transformation, a term which became popular over the past years. We may be getting there, albeit, slowly. This Budget says “digital skills training will be added to the in-person information technology training provided at the access centres.” It is estimated that, “10,000 persons will be provided with digital skills training followed by another 2,000 under an arrangement with the Microsoft Philanthropic Group.”
It’s time we re-examine how we look at training. Is training only relevant for the areas/fields that you/I ‘like’? I don’t like information technology and I have no interest in climate change, so out-the-door with that! We look at Estonia and see where a jurisdiction with similar population size as T&T, is leader in global e-government. They understood and determined that their government and population was good enough to go where no other country was prepared to thread….and that was to move from paper to digital. So much so that you can now become a digital citizen of Estonia.
Understanding digitisation and appreciating digitalisation is a must for us and that includes our NSP. Is information technology relevant for the whole of government/public service, is it relevant for a larger segment of law enforcement? And yes, true productivity, efficiency and E-Government, must involve our front-liners in National Security.
Effects on crime, security of business sector and investment
Attracting foreign investment and boosting local and regional investment is also key.
We can agree that organised crime is a hindrance for investment. In addition, certain levels of crime may be perceived as a signal of an unfavourable socio-institutional system for foreign investment. If we were to assess the nature of crime for 2020 and 2021, can we be comforted by the minimal decrease in crimes? Can this affect foreign investor interest?
What is the general perception of the population on crime and I want to single out CORRUPTION? How does the population view its leaders/politicians/senior public officers and the public service in general/the business community? You may have your own perception of corruption in T&T. Let’s just look at two crime types—corruption and the new trend in fraud.
The Corruption Perceptions Index grades countries and territories on how corrupt their public sector is perceived to be. A country or territory’s rank suggests its position in comparison to the other countries and territories in the index. Corruption Rank in Trinidad and Tobago increased to 86 in 2020 from 85 in 2019.
Corruption, being a ‘white-collar’ crime, and not explicitly named in the TTPS’ list of crimes on its website, might be of concern to the public. But, how is Government working toward removing this perception? In this year’s Budget, was there a focus on this kind of criminal conduct [corruption]? Is there a push to have the TTPS/Cybercrime Unit for that matter, adequately resourced? Have we seen the TTPS moving in that direction of strengthening skill-sets and capacity of a greater number of officers in cybercrime?
Fraud, with COVID-19 taking its place in our society, is now a much more prominent feature. The nature of the fraud is changing. We see from the Ministry of Finance/FIU of Trinidad and Tobago, something called Romance Scam/Fraud, and another new trend in fraud in the hotel industry. Are our NSP ready for the new trend in this type of criminality?
Can the recent ‘fiasco’ involving the PSC and CoP issues have a negative impact on the business sector and citizenry?
‘Bacchanalia’ vs productivity
Citizens should be able to trust governments. Similarly, we should be able to trust persons nominated and/or those who accept public office. Citizens should be confident that such persons will seek first the interest of the country and discharge their functions in accordance with law and evenhandedness.
Let us equate the recent experience against six [6] key areas, then we can have an idea of the impact, as it played out in the media.
1. Reliability
People don’t like uncertainty. They want to feel sure that those elected/holding high office, will try to avert crisis or deal with those crises fairly when it happens. Was this evident in this scenario.
2. Responsiveness
Persons holding high office are really service providers to their client [citizens]. Were citizens aware of the issues early? Did citizens hear [officially] from the persons with responsibility for this process?
3. Openness
Citizens should be aware of not only the policies but also of policy making process. Was their clarity on the process that was undertaken by the PSC?
4. Regulation
Citizens want to know that there are regulations to protect their [Citizenry] rights. Was there justice/fairness in what occurred in this scenario?
5. Inclusiveness
We expect that decisions made are open and fair and provide relevant and accurate information to all stakeholders —that includes ‘the people.’
6. Integrity
Was fairness demonstrated in the process? Is it the ‘first’ incident like this? Was there external influence on what ‘played-out’ in this scenario? Are our systems free of corruption and do the persons holding those positions carry a high standard of integrity?
Now, the question could be asked, are persons appointed/elected in senior positions of responsibility prepared for the task?
It might be a good time for T&T to consider developing the capacity of individuals so appointed/elected, to enhance both for the purpose of performance of functions and to encourage PATRIOTISM.