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| Jack Warner in POS Friday (Guardian photo) |
Speaking at the launch of a Police Caravan at Brian Lara Promenade in Port of spain, the minister said murders have become so frequent that there is cause for serious concern about the performance of the police.
He had a message for Gibbs: “With me, you and your men would have quite a friend," he said. He added, "Anything you can do to reduce crime in this country, Commissioner, I shall be your friend. But I tell you openly that if the crime in this country does not go down, I shall be every policeman’s enemy.”
Warner said police must change the way they operate. "I expect the policemen to drive not in their air-conditioned vehicle, but with their glass down, and to ask the neighbours, ‘How are you, my friend? How are the children?’
He had a message for Gibbs: “With me, you and your men would have quite a friend," he said. He added, "Anything you can do to reduce crime in this country, Commissioner, I shall be your friend. But I tell you openly that if the crime in this country does not go down, I shall be every policeman’s enemy.”
Warner said police must change the way they operate. "I expect the policemen to drive not in their air-conditioned vehicle, but with their glass down, and to ask the neighbours, ‘How are you, my friend? How are the children?’
“Leave your vehicles, men, walk the street sometimes and shake people’s hand. That must not be the exception, my friends in the Police Service, that must be the norm.”
He also stated that every officer must work to serve the community. “Once you have on the police uniform, whether SRP (Special Reserve Police) or regular, you are community police,” Warner said. “All police officers must behave in a way where they can regain the public’s trust once more," he added. "They must help to bring back the country from fear.”
Warner set some goals for the police. “We must have a murder-free week, a murder-free fortnight, a murder-free month and then a murder-free year," he said, adding that "nothing less" is acceptable.
He also stated that every officer must work to serve the community. “Once you have on the police uniform, whether SRP (Special Reserve Police) or regular, you are community police,” Warner said. “All police officers must behave in a way where they can regain the public’s trust once more," he added. "They must help to bring back the country from fear.”
Warner set some goals for the police. “We must have a murder-free week, a murder-free fortnight, a murder-free month and then a murder-free year," he said, adding that "nothing less" is acceptable.
He spoke about his childhood and his desire at age 10 to be a police officer, inspired by the visit of the police band came to his rural community of Rio Claro to play for villagers.
“And today I ask myself, where have we gone wrong? Where have the police gone? Here now I am the National Security Minister and my role is to develop the Police Service to what it was in the old days.” He noted that in the “old days,” crime was at an all-time low because there was peace, love and trust.
“Whatever was good in the past and worked well we must take that and make it work now,” the minister stated. While much of his comments were directed at the police, Warner also addressed citizens and advised the community and stakeholders to strengthen ties with the Police Service.
“Whatever was good in the past and worked well we must take that and make it work now,” the minister stated. While much of his comments were directed at the police, Warner also addressed citizens and advised the community and stakeholders to strengthen ties with the Police Service.
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