TTPS we need more

THE EDITOR: I believe in giving credit where it is due because it is a form of encouragement that pushes individuals to do even better.

Our acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Stephen Williams, recently gave a summary of the performance of the TTPS for the year 2017. I must say that the removal of guns from the street – 1,014 – for the year so far and thousands of ammo is worth commenting on. Job well done.

In this area, we now need to stop the entry of these weapons coming into our borders. My view is that we do not know how many are still out there in the hands of the criminal elements. Let us clog those ports of entry.

Then, we have the crime detection rate that has been a bone of contention for the longest while. Mr Williams said the overall rating was 31 per cent compared to 23 per cent last year.

Yes, I do agree that it is an improvement but I cannot see four out of nine divisions not making the target as doing a good job, but I applaud the two divisions with ratings above 50 per cent.

Push harder. I also have an issue with that 30 per cent target. And while we see this as a normal benchmark, as far as I am concerned, the criminal elements are winning this war.

Whether we like it or not we are short 70 per cent and that is in favour of the criminal element. Now that is the reality before us. And while, on one hand, we have seen some improvement, much more needs to be done with murders and crime detection in TT.

I ask the TTPS keep reaching for greater achievements. Do not settle there.

ARNOLD GOPEESINGH, San Juan