Panday not blaming Dillon for high crime

Former Prime Minister Basdeo Panday yesterday said he is not blaming National Security Minister Edmund Dillon for the state of crime in TT.

Panday made the comment when he appeared before the National Security Joint Select Committee (JSC) at Tower D of the Port of Spain International Waterfront Centre.

He explained that while the minister is ultimately responsible for policy, the system he operates within is one which has not fostered accountability or tackles issues such as corruption in the Police Service.

“There are no systems or the systems are not working. Who is guarding the guards?” Panday remarked. Against this background, Panday claimed the police manpower audit “shies away from identifying the problem.” Arguing that proper management is urgently needed in the Police Service, Panday lamented,”We can’t even appoint a Commissioner of Police.” He said there are people in the Police Service who do not want technology introduced because it reduces opportunities for corruption.

He recalled, when computers were introduced in the service during his tenure, many were used as paperweights.

Panday said while the former administration created the Vehicle Maintenance Company of TT to deal with vehicle shortages in the Police Service, “my dear friend Mr (Patrick) Manning destroyed the purpose of VMCOTT.” He claimed, several people in public life have filled their garages with old police vehicles. JSC chairman Fitzgerald Hinds told Panday Government is looking at whether VMCOTT is serving the purpose it was intended to. Panday was baffled as to why the audit mentioned that 300 police officers were in acting positions. He also wondered why ten to 20 per cent of police officers were on leave at any time and an alleged $2 billion on personal expenditure that was mentioned in the audit.

Former national security minister Overand Padmore said more emphasis needed to be placed on technology driven evidence as opposed to human evidence as witnesses are not prepared to come forward and testify in court. Padmore welcomed the idea of the police commissioner being elected. Apart from a lack of trust and confidence in the police, Padmore said the same view holds for people in authority.

Recalling that the Scott Drug Report occurred under his tenure, Padmore said the contents of that confidential document were deliberately released after the People’s National Movement demitted office in 1986.

Former police commissioner Trevor Paul said the Police Service does deal with corruption in its ranks and he was aware of instances of this during his 42 years service.