Reforming the police service

SHARMA MADHOO

I READ recently in the Sunday Newsday comments by criminologist Darius Figuera, a retired UWI lecturer, regarding the extremely urgent need for police service reform.

What was particularly interesting was the context in which Figuera placed his call for reform – the fact that today’s police service largely represents a structure that pre-dates independence. When you consider the comments he made, not least of which was the fact that politicians are perhaps the most important reason for an absence of true reforms, one can easily see why the service has become one that is looked at by many with a level of anxiety. The central question for some who may wish to report a crime, or events that appear to be shady, is “can I trust the officer to whom I make these disclosures?”

I recall just over two years ago when Gary Griffith took up the office of Commissioner of Police. He came in having served in the military, in government and in the private security service sector. There was a marked level of public commentary, observation and clear excitement that the right person was finally in the driver’s seat.

The speed with which he took hold of this critical leadership position saw him reining in criminal gangs, standing on the frontline at raids and sting operations, speaking frankly with the population, and standing his ground. We have to admit he has made good progress.

But according to Figuera’s analysis, the post of CoP in the 21st century is somehow intended to operate effectively within a structure that was created in the 20th century.

Notwithstanding the kind of progress Griffith has achieved, such a situation makes absolutely no sense. Our police service is still orientated in that colonial setting where police ultimately answered to ruling administrations in a much more overt way than they do now. As Figuera noted, politicians have kept the service in that colonial structure as it would generally have suited selfish political needs.

Today we find ourselves in the midst of unthinkable violence, increased criminal aggression, a complete absence of care for the lives of others, the threat of border breaches, terrorism, cybercrime and the use of technology to illegally monitor or track potential victims of crime.

Yet the police service, despite robust leadership and a no-nonsense approach to the job of commissioner, it is the same outdated structure that is called upon to secure the nation. It is like asking a police officer from 1965 to investigate and make a determination on “e-mailgate.” The officer would have neither knowledge nor awareness of what an e-mail is, far less the transmission of messages via an invisible global network.

Why is that? As Figuera pointed out, the reasons are many, and daunting:

* Promotions in the service are based on seniority only, not skill, competence and proven achievement.

* Because one of the worst-kept secrets in this country is, as the commissioner said in a newspaper article a few weeks ago, rogue police have a direct line to some politicians.

* Because this country has police reform bills bumped from the House of Representatives to the Senate, back to the House and then silenced and lost in joint select committees.

Quite honestly, joint select committees are essentially talk shops that prevailing governments use to patronise and wait out the Opposition…so by the time every key part of critical reform becomes mired in “further discussions,” the bills either lapse, or the legislation passed is about as effective as using a fork to eat soup.

I endorse and support Figuera’s observations and when you think about it, today in 2020, we have proof that strong, firm and experienced leadership can make a difference to the police service and policing. The only thing missing now is the structure – the policies, the reforms and modern strategic management that breeds efficiency and effectiveness, in spite of sulking politicians.

In fact, it has become very clear that reform of the police service to create one that can respond to all domestic and foreign threats is about as critical to this country as economic recovery.