Column: You should be setting an example, sir, not breaking the law

One of the stories making headlines Friday in Trinidad and Tobago concerns an incident involving two police officers on traffic duty in Port of Spain and Nizam Mohammed, the chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

The story, if accurate, is that Mohammed was travelling in the centre lane on three rows of traffic on Independence Square and indicated to the officers that he wanted to make a left turn into Henry Street. He identified himself to the officer, the report said.

The police advised him to proceed east but instead Mohammed disobeyed that order and went ahead to make the turn on Henry Street. The officers caught up with him and while he cooperated by producing his driving documents he also complained to the police commissioner, who has asked the two officers for a report on the incident.

The missing parts of the story, which will no doubt emerge when the officers file their report as requested, is what transpired in the conversations between Mohammed and the officers. 

Was the PSC chairman pulling rank because he is the boss, or was he politely asking to be allowed to make the turn, which the police refused?

Were the officers using their best judgement. Could they have just momentarily stopped the left lane to let Mohammed pass? Were the officers rude to Mohammed or was he rude to them? It seems Mohammed was able to cut over without the help of the police in any case.

These are critical questions. 

It is also interesting to note the speed at which the top brass responded to Mohammed's complaint. The fact that he is their boss might be a critical factor in their haste to investigate since it is a known fact that the average citizen never gets such speedy treatment from the police.

The incident reminds me of one many years ago in the United Kingdom when the Duke of Edinburgh, the husband of Queen Elizabeth, was caught speeding. When the officer approached, the Prince asked, "Do you know who I am?"

The policeman replied, "Yes, your highness. And you should be setting an example, sir, not breaking the law." The officer issued Prince Phillip a ticket and both of them wentabout their business. The officer later received a commendation for doing his work on the recommendation from the Prince.

It would seem that Mohammed was wrong to disobey the instructions of a police officer. That is not the kind of example we need from such a prominent citizen and the person who heads the Police Service Commission. 

If there was a genuine emergency, I would guess that the officers would have stopped the traffic on the left lane and allowed Mohammed to make the turn.

Perhaps they determined that no one should have special treatment and acted on that basis. And there is nothing wrong with such action because regardless of class or status, no one is above the law.

On the other hand Mohammed has every right to complain if he believes the officers did not act properly. 

But when the report is presented, the Commissioner of Police would be wise to be objective in this and not penalise anyone for doing her or his job.

And if the officers acted properly then Mohammed should commend them for doing their job and pay his fine. That would be setting the right example and would establish that Mohammed is indeed an honourable man.

Jai Pararsam - 03 Dec. 2010