Policing the police

[kemist]

Let me first start off by saying that the majority of police officers in T&T are hard-working and honest individuals.
However, in any bunch, we will always find some bad apples. It is those few who give our officers a bad name.
The police are a key resource in the daily functioning of this country and so the powers that be should give special attention to improving them. One thing that comes to mind is the 'crook-ed' cops, whom, as a result, the people have no confidence and distrust the police service in this country.
There is a simple solution to this. In the U.S, there is the internal affairs division who in a nutshell, polices the police.
Maybe we can adopt a similar system with some sort of civilian oversight (perhaps in the form of a senate committee for example). Maybe then those crook-ed cops would think twice about taking their next bribe.
The bottom line is, citizens need a reason to trust and have confidence in the police services.

[serenity]

Easier said than done. Tdad so small everybody related to somebody. Its hard to get ppl to do their job without bias. And then, how do u investigate allegations of corruption? They dont rat on each other. For example, everybody know bout Robocop..but who coming to court to say they know? Police system in need of a culture change among other things...soooo many other things. But I agree with u when u say most are good.

[kemist]

Good points serenity. I agree with you.
My post above was getting a bit long so i cut it short and just gave a general outline of what i was thinking.

Perhaps something like this could be done on a CARICOM level which would ensure that internal affairs officers of a particular country do not investigate their own police officers.
Also, these internal affairs officers would have to be trained seperately from the local police.
They would not report to the police commisioner but would have some other type of oversite, i would think that civilian oversite may be the best to go with, say in the form of a senate committee or a person appointed by the president. The idea here is to make them fully independent from the local police service.
I know there are many many more logistical problems that must be solved before an idea like this can become practical, but it will never come to be if we dont start somewhere.

[KFCSpicy]

There is already a Police Investigation Commission right on the corner of Aberccromby Street and Park Street (at least that is what popped into mind from memory). They investigate internal affairs and complaints made by the public.

We already have one it...just like a lot of government departments in the country...are not being utilised or advertised for use by the public. Hence, a lot of people don't know about their existence.

Why oh why do we have a rent control board eh? that has always been my greatest peeve about the government...they have all these places and people employed and they not doing jack doodoo about anything. Just coming into wuk and collecting a salary at the end of the month.

Sigh! :roll:

[sapodila]

Let me first start off by saying that the majority of police officers in T&T are hard-working and honest individuals.
However, in any bunch, we will always find some bad apples. It is those few who give our officers a bad name.
The police are a key resource in the daily functioning of this country and so the powers that be should give special attention to improving them. One thing that comes to mind is the 'crook-ed' cops, whom, as a result, the people have no confidence and distrust the police service in this country.
There is a simple solution to this. In the U.S, there is the internal affairs division who in a nutshell, polices the police.
Maybe we can adopt a similar system with some sort of civilian oversight (perhaps in the form of a senate committee for example). Maybe then those crook-ed cops would think twice about taking their next bribe.
The bottom line is, citizens need a reason to trust and have confidence in the police services.
An internal investigative unit has been in place for well over eighteen years. Which reminds me.... remember when officers use to disappear into thin air back then?

[KFCSpicy]

bring back burroughs ah say. :x

[jacques]

Good points serenity. I agree with you.
My post above was getting a bit long so i cut it short and just gave a general outline of what i was thinking.

Perhaps something like this could be done on a CARICOM level which would ensure that internal affairs officers of a particular country do not investigate their own police officers.
Also, these internal affairs officers would have to be trained seperately from the local police.
They would not report to the police commisioner but would have some other type of oversite, i would think that civilian oversite may be the best to go with, say in the form of a senate committee or a person appointed by the president. The idea here is to make them fully independent from the local police service.
I know there are many many more logistical problems that must be solved before an idea like this can become practical, but it will never come to be if we dont start somewhere.

Excellent idea. Independence is the key.