PSC demands answers about alleged Flying Squad

Prof. Ramesh Deosaran

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) said Thursday the commission has demanded answers from acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) Stephen Williams on the alleged new Flying Squad, which National Security Minister Jack Warner has said does not exist.

Professor Ramesh Deosaran made the statement at a media conference following a meeting with Williams. However he did not say how Williams responded. 

Deosaran said the commission felt it was necessary to inquire to determine “what the facts are and to go beyond speculation and to satisfy ourselves that all is above board and there is no illegal activity, either individually or by any unit.” 

He said as the constitutionally-established oversight body for the police service the PSC has to make sure that everything is above board in the service.

Deosaran also stated that crime-fighting efforts have failed. He said there are very serious concerns about the crime rate and added that the commission is "very troubled" about the existing recruitment process for a commissioner of police and deputy commissioners. 

“We cannot have a serious crime rate as it is. We cannot have such escalating public fear of crime and yet the Police Service Commission is constrained in appointing a substantive police commissioner,” he said.