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How
ministry tackling crime
By
Martin Joseph
Minister of national Security
A
lot has been achieved in the past year as it relates to better
equipping crime agencies to deal more effectively with criminal
activity.
After reading your editorial of November 5, some clarification
is required on my part as it relates to the performance of
the ministry in tackling the burning issue of crime.
The management approach of the ministry is that people with
direct responsibility for specific divisions or agencies are
required to explain their actions and those of the particular
agency that comes under their control.
Therefore, for example, the Commissioner of Police has direct
responsibility for matters concerning crime and the actions
of the Police Service and therefore is accountable to the
public for his stewardship.
A lot has been achieved in the past year as it relates to
better equipping crime agencies to deal more effectively with
criminal activity.
Without fanfare we piloted and saw through the passage and
implementation of the Firearms Amendment Act of 2004, in which
there were substantial increases in the sentences for firearm
related offences and the creation of new offences.
Additionally, we have increased funding to Crime Stoppers
to focus on acquiring information on illegal firearms.
In similar manner, we implemented a computer information-driven
system whereby we collected and analysed criminal statistics
and allocated resources accordingly.
It is out of this that we recognised that 18 police stations/districts
generated 65 per cent of all serious crimes, which in turn
allowed us to allocate resources in a meaningful way.
The acquisition and distribution of 100 new vehicles flowed
directly from this analysis.
We have also implemented measures which hold division commanders
accountable for what is taking place within their division.
We have also increased the number of police officers available
for duty and have put measures in place to ensure that the
Police Service moves from its current strength of 6,506 policemen
and women to its full strength of 7,362 officers.
In addition, measures were instituted that will allow for
greater coordination and collaboration among specialist units
and divisions.
Crucial to the success of this process has been the real-time
sharing of information.
The ministry also acquired the Integrated Ballistic Identification
System (IBIS) machine to improve our forensic capabilities
in respect of firearms and firearm offences.
Along with these measures, we are focused on transforming
the T&T Police Service.
Towards this end we plan to begin training and retraining
programmes that will favourably impact on all officers of
the Police Service.
One of our signature achievements, and again without fanfare,
was the establishment of the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SUATT).
This intelligence-driven unit has had a pervasive impact on
organised criminal activity.
SUATT has played a central role, along with other agencies
such as the OCNU and the FIU, in our efforts of getting guns
off the street.
In implementing its remit, SUATT is currently using modern
technology to detect illegal guns, providing surveillance
of the coast line with its helicopter, and providing assistance
in the examination of containers in support of port-of-entry
surveillance.
As is relates to high levels of homicides, yes there is no
denial that the rates are at unacceptable levels as the table
at left shows.
It is also to be noted, however, that the joint army/police
patrols have led to the recovery of a substantial amount of
guns and illegal drugs.
Additionally, over the past four months kidnapping has been
substantially reduced with one reported incident.
Also, and of crucial importance, is that allegations of extra-judicial
killings and unlawful crime-fighting approaches are completely
intolerable.
As I have recently stated, the Government has zero tolerance
towards any behaviour that is ultra vires the laws of the
land.
Any officer found to be in contravention of the laws would
be subjected to the full thrust of the judicial and legal
system, as well as the disciplinary procedures of the Police
Service.
The Ministry of National Security will continue to place its
full support behind the Commissioner of Police to transform
the Police Service where necessary in order to make it much
more effective in its mandate to protect and serve the people
of T&T.
The public can rest assured that it is the solemn intention
of the Government to get value for money as we implement the
financial year 2005 budgetary allocation.
Editor’s note: The editorial of November 5 was headlined:
“Airport boss passes $27m runway buck.” The editorial
of November 9 was headlined: “Speak up, Mr Minister.”
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