Roll with the punches,time remarks, captain

THE EDITOR: “It takes courage to stand up and talk but it takes even more courage to sit down and listen” – Sir Winston Churchill.

In my 87 years in TT I have lived under every police commissioner – from “Two Gun Muller” to our current commissioner, Capt Gary Griffith. I can say without fear of contradiction that no former CoP from the colonial constabulary to the current Police Service has ever enjoyed the people’s confidence and goodwill as the gallant captain. Nor has anyone of them been as popular.

The only thing that escaped the captain’s arrival was a ticker-tape parade in the capital city. Such was and continues to be the confidence and expectations of the national community.

The Prime Minister in his usual aggressive and confident style, against the normal political odds, not only championed the appointment of his former political opponent and former minister of national security but was prepared to put his political future on the line.

The captain was the man of the moment for the moment. He was the man for the job. The Opposition did not oppose it. It is against this background that he accepted the challenge, creating history, an unprecedented decision if there ever was one.

The new commissioner made it absolutely clear there was not going to be any probationary period, no honeymoon. The task ahead was too important – the safety and protection of the citizens. From day one on the job he has and continues to be relentless in his efforts to achieve these objectives.

In spite of the fact that he has not enjoyed the anticipated early success he aspired to, I don’t think anyone can deny that Griffith and his hardworking and dedicated team, minus the questionable few he has firmly and expeditiously dealt with in accordance with the established disciplinary procedures, have been doing a commendable ob.

I don’t think anyone can fault our commissioner on his loyalty and dedication to the unenviable task of enforcing law and order in a society that is characterised by indiscipline and lawlessness.

I sometimes reminisce on the much maligned Public Order Act of 1974 and ask: Did Karl Hudson-Phillips see something that escaped us 45 years ago? Something that today has befallen our society that the alleged draconian Public Order Act, with some amendments, might have insulated us? Like the unprecedented lawlessness that the gallant captain is now trying to get under control? I leave this to our criminologists and other experts on the subject.

This however brings me, like many others, to our concern about some of the public utterances of our commissioner. I am sure he is, as the saying goes, man enough to take a little advice from a senior citizen, a friend, an unrepentant stickler for law and order.

There is no commissioner in my lifetime that was not subjected to criticism in one form or the other during their term of office. They have all been victims of public criticism. This is part of the price we pay when we enter public life.

My respectful advice to Griffith, which I hope he takes in the spirit it is given, is to roll with the punches, take an occasional calpet, sometimes retreat in order to advance, time public utterances like Dr Williams did, do not shoot until the white of the eyes is seen.

The commissioner’s application, confidence, strategy, leadership and capability will be determined by the results. Just remember time is longer than twine; patience is a supreme virtue.

FERDIE FERREIRA

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