Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said on Thursday unless citizens have confidence in the integrity of their police democratic systems cannot thrive, economies cannot develop nor can human rights and dignity be preserved.
She made the point in a speech at the opening of the inaugural session of the third meeting of Ministers Responsible For Public Security in the Americas (MISPA III) at the Hyatt in Port of Spain.
"If our police organizations do not continue to make progress towards restoring trust, confidence and safety, the hemisphere will continue to experience unacceptably high levels of crime," she said.
She added that now is the time to reorient the police forces and transform them to play a new public security role "that could only be achieved when there is full observation of the laws of human rights, when information is shared between police organizations and when there is effective community partnership and participation."
She told delegates from the member states of the Organisation of American States their attendance at the meeting is a clear demonstration to "all our people across this hemisphere" of the importance of the “Commitment to Public Security in the Americas”, that was adopted at the very first meeting of MISPA in Mexico in 2008.
She reiterated the five pillars of that commitment:
"Ensuring public safety and security is a fundamental duty and obligation of all our governments. Fulfilling this obligation most certainly requires a strong, solid coalition. Through MISPA, we have positively exhibited and reiterated that such a coalition can exist," she added.
She noted that Trinidad and Tobago received unanimous support for its recommendation that MISPA III focus on Police Management.
She said, "Your focus on Police Management over the next two days will facilitate recognition of national efforts and the dissemination of information on new and creative ways to achieve a better police service, which would inevitably result in enhanced public security."
Persad-Bissessar added that better police management will create:
"Accordingly, our commitment is to promote a process of people-centred development. Unless matters such as, security, law and order and proper policing are attained, Trinidad and Tobago will not achieve this desirable end," she said
The Prime Minister said Trinidad & Tobago's police service has embarked on a modern, contemporary and innovative approach to policing that includes community partnerships, fostering innovation and by policing for excellence.
"It is a step, which, among other things, would remove negative perceptions that have flooded the public’s thinking and deliver on the commitment to provide safety and security to the citizens," she said.
Persad-Bissessar called on delegates to guide the process of police management so that decisions will be made "from your heads AND from your hearts".
She added, "Let us not forget, that we are ALL responsible. Every citizen, every one of us is responsible for making progress towards making the Americas a safer and more humane region."
"If our police organizations do not continue to make progress towards restoring trust, confidence and safety, the hemisphere will continue to experience unacceptably high levels of crime," she said.
She added that now is the time to reorient the police forces and transform them to play a new public security role "that could only be achieved when there is full observation of the laws of human rights, when information is shared between police organizations and when there is effective community partnership and participation."
She told delegates from the member states of the Organisation of American States their attendance at the meeting is a clear demonstration to "all our people across this hemisphere" of the importance of the “Commitment to Public Security in the Americas”, that was adopted at the very first meeting of MISPA in Mexico in 2008.
She reiterated the five pillars of that commitment:
- Public Security Management
- Prevention of Crime, Violence and Insecurity
- Police Management
- Citizen and Community Participation
- International Cooperation
"Ensuring public safety and security is a fundamental duty and obligation of all our governments. Fulfilling this obligation most certainly requires a strong, solid coalition. Through MISPA, we have positively exhibited and reiterated that such a coalition can exist," she added.
She noted that Trinidad and Tobago received unanimous support for its recommendation that MISPA III focus on Police Management.
She said, "Your focus on Police Management over the next two days will facilitate recognition of national efforts and the dissemination of information on new and creative ways to achieve a better police service, which would inevitably result in enhanced public security."
Persad-Bissessar added that better police management will create:
- Improved technical capacity of the police forces to execute their duties
- Modernized curriculum and training programs for the police
- Increased knowledge of and respect for human rights among the police forces
- Harmonization of the legal framework with international law and practices
- Improved working environments for police officers
- Improved relations between police and the public
"Accordingly, our commitment is to promote a process of people-centred development. Unless matters such as, security, law and order and proper policing are attained, Trinidad and Tobago will not achieve this desirable end," she said
The Prime Minister said Trinidad & Tobago's police service has embarked on a modern, contemporary and innovative approach to policing that includes community partnerships, fostering innovation and by policing for excellence.
"It is a step, which, among other things, would remove negative perceptions that have flooded the public’s thinking and deliver on the commitment to provide safety and security to the citizens," she said.
She added, "Let us not forget, that we are ALL responsible. Every citizen, every one of us is responsible for making progress towards making the Americas a safer and more humane region."
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