He was speaking at a seminar hosted by the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago at the Hugh Wooding Law School in St Augustine.
At least 449 people were arrested during the current state of emergency on suspicion of being involved with gangs. However Gaspard decision not to prosecute has led to the release of 236 of them. The DPP position was the lack of evidence.
Gaspard described the legislation as being irrelevant. “There is a certain attitude that this law is a big deal, like it’s the best thing since sliced bread," he said adding that such a perception "is only gaining currency in certain quarters."
The DPP was also critical of the protective services. “I regret to say that the law enforcement authorities may not have been careful enough in their use of the law," he said.
At least 449 people were arrested during the current state of emergency on suspicion of being involved with gangs. However Gaspard decision not to prosecute has led to the release of 236 of them. The DPP position was the lack of evidence.
Gaspard described the legislation as being irrelevant. “There is a certain attitude that this law is a big deal, like it’s the best thing since sliced bread," he said adding that such a perception "is only gaining currency in certain quarters."
The DPP was also critical of the protective services. “I regret to say that the law enforcement authorities may not have been careful enough in their use of the law," he said.
"Perhaps this occurred in their haste to clamp down on the criminal menace in our society,” he added.
"These law enforcement agencies obviously need to be more circumspect and patient to properly build cases with strong evidentiary platforms from which they could launch their welcomed attacks against criminal gangs.”
The DPP warned of the fallout. “Any approach used with the scent of unfairness has the unwanted risk of having police trust being undermined. This in turn has the potential to further the criminal subculture in this country,” Gaspard said.
Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj called for a review of the act.
“I think this Act is flawed and there needs to be immediate steps taken to have proper studies done to see if this Act needs major amendments, major overhauling or simply just a new Act altogether,” Maharaj said.
The DPP warned of the fallout. “Any approach used with the scent of unfairness has the unwanted risk of having police trust being undermined. This in turn has the potential to further the criminal subculture in this country,” Gaspard said.
Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj called for a review of the act.
“I think this Act is flawed and there needs to be immediate steps taken to have proper studies done to see if this Act needs major amendments, major overhauling or simply just a new Act altogether,” Maharaj said.
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