LENNOX FRANCIS

THE CEREMONY to herald in the new commissioner of police (CoP) will surpass the Independence Day celebrations and even the ringing in of 2023. TT is hoping that the selection of this new kid on the block is the panacea for crime.

The Police Service Commission is either close to the end of the process or already has a distinguished list of applicants prepared, having plugged the loopholes, serviced the armoured car that will transport the bearer of the list, filled the potholes in the President's yard to allow smooth delivery and one-way traffic so that the list cannot return to the original sender.

If I had my way I would have retarded the process until I got some satisfactory answers. Is this new CoP going to be the leader of the 19th-century grey and blue, baton-wielding constabulary? Or is this going to be 21st century policing being ushered in?

Reverting to grey and blue is rib-tickling and this is coming from someone who cannot recognise the directions for using body-cameras.

Criminals in their cozy surroundings are giggling at the comedy. Who could recognise the police in their alien battle-ready outfits? Members of the public had to take a chance and trust their reports were received by genuine law-enforcing agents.

So are we going to set a thief to catch a thief? How else can the rogue elements be eliminated?

I like the idea of 21st century policing, a new brand. Does that include or exclude the Police Complaints Authority (PCA)? Do criminals lay their troubles before this body or do law-abiding citizens? Why should we have to be discontented with the effort to protect and serve ourselves?

It is not a case of biting the hands that defend us, but we expect of guardians a sense of responsibility to the nation. They are guidance counsellors to all, vested with the powers to exercise discretionary powers of arrest and entrusted with automatic weapons, tear gas, pepper spray and tasers that can kill or maim citizens.

To whom much is given, much is expected. There is always need to pacify an angry or disobedient public, so the police must operate at the top of their game.

Investigating its members for misbehaviour in public office and forming a PCA are unnecessary adjuncts to the security system. Can the operations of a minor body cure the ills of a larger one?

When police are present delinquent citizens should go into hiding. Normal citizens should feel safe and be at peace when these paramilitary personnel appear. A five-ten-year span to drastically revamp the system can put citizens at ease and criminals on the run.

So 21st century policing should raise the bar, starting with academic qualifications. The society has called for graduate teachers to tutor our children, certified doctors to look after the sick, and reliable evidence that our technicians have the competence to service the technology. Well, why not accredited policemen and women?

With the social weight these people are asked to carry without adequate preparation we may as well give the task to Atlas.