Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is right to serve notice on police that she will not allow them to hold the nation to ransom in what they are calling a day of rest and reflection.
Police have been trained to serve protect. They are not your "average worker". When they get emotional about an administrative matter and hold the public to ransom they are acting most irresponsibly and a government has every right to take measures to protect citizens.
It is also strange that the police welfare association president would challenge the Prime Minister on this, especially since his association has said the action planned for Monday was not sanctioned by his association.
We agree that police - like every other citizen - have rights that must be respected. The government has made it clear that it recognises the work of the police and would pay more if the economy could afford it.
Trinidad and Tobago has been facing a crisis in crime for over a decade. The new government and the new police commissioner have had some successes in fighting back.
We commend police officers for this, as did the Prime Minister during her walkabout in Port of Spain on Friday.
Police have been trained to serve protect. They are not your "average worker". When they get emotional about an administrative matter and hold the public to ransom they are acting most irresponsibly and a government has every right to take measures to protect citizens.
It is also strange that the police welfare association president would challenge the Prime Minister on this, especially since his association has said the action planned for Monday was not sanctioned by his association.
We agree that police - like every other citizen - have rights that must be respected. The government has made it clear that it recognises the work of the police and would pay more if the economy could afford it.
Trinidad and Tobago has been facing a crisis in crime for over a decade. The new government and the new police commissioner have had some successes in fighting back.
We commend police officers for this, as did the Prime Minister during her walkabout in Port of Spain on Friday.
However when the leadership of their union makes threats to withhold their labour they are creating a crisis and working against themselves and society by weakening efforts to fight crime.
That is downright irresponsible and deserving of serious action.
Sgt. Anand Ramesar has made it a habit of saying his association does not support and condone the action by police to stay away from work. Yet he keeps on defending their action.
For the record, this is what the media reported Ramesar as saying last year: “Every conceivable area within the Police Service will be affected, including Special Reserve Officers (SRP) and City Police. The ‘blue flu’ was extremely mild compared to the “blue tsunami” that is about to hit.”
Today the same threat faces Trinidad and Tobago. It is a threat not against the government but against every citizen in the country. Each police officer has a sworn duty to protect citizens and the government should demand no less.
The Police Service is an essential one and while legal sources will say their action cannot be deemed "illegal" since people are entitled to be sick, we suggest that is the height of dishonesty to pretend to be ill and stay away from work.
It is fraudulent, unethical and irresponsible for any employee to fake illness and have that certified by a medical officer. Anyone who engages is such activity deserves no sympathy from anyone.
We believe that everyone deserves fair pay for their labour. However, we cannot accept that when things are not moving in favour of the police that they have a right to withhold their labour, hold citizens and the government to ransom and allow criminals a time-out to do as they please.
Now is the time for those responsible for the police service to act decisively in telling the police they have a duty to perform and those who abandon their responsibility must face the full penalty for their actions.
That is downright irresponsible and deserving of serious action.
Sgt. Anand Ramesar has made it a habit of saying his association does not support and condone the action by police to stay away from work. Yet he keeps on defending their action.
For the record, this is what the media reported Ramesar as saying last year: “Every conceivable area within the Police Service will be affected, including Special Reserve Officers (SRP) and City Police. The ‘blue flu’ was extremely mild compared to the “blue tsunami” that is about to hit.”
Today the same threat faces Trinidad and Tobago. It is a threat not against the government but against every citizen in the country. Each police officer has a sworn duty to protect citizens and the government should demand no less.
The Police Service is an essential one and while legal sources will say their action cannot be deemed "illegal" since people are entitled to be sick, we suggest that is the height of dishonesty to pretend to be ill and stay away from work.
It is fraudulent, unethical and irresponsible for any employee to fake illness and have that certified by a medical officer. Anyone who engages is such activity deserves no sympathy from anyone.
We believe that everyone deserves fair pay for their labour. However, we cannot accept that when things are not moving in favour of the police that they have a right to withhold their labour, hold citizens and the government to ransom and allow criminals a time-out to do as they please.
Now is the time for those responsible for the police service to act decisively in telling the police they have a duty to perform and those who abandon their responsibility must face the full penalty for their actions.
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