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| National Security Minister Jack Warner poses with CEO of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce Catherine Kumar and the chamber’s senior vice-president, Moonilal Lalchan. Guardian photo |
The National Security Minister Jack Warner spoke about the project at a breakfast meeting hosted by the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce. He explained that the initiative is called SHIFT - Service, Honour, Integration, Focus and Transition - and would cost $1.3 million.
However he made it clear that this is not a crime fighting initiative but one aimed at improving attitude and empowering police officers to change their behaviour and work ethics.
He discussed the project with executive members of the association at his ministry at 5 am before heading to the breakfast event.
Warner reported on what he called a "superb" meeting. “I met the association members, from a depressed bunch of guys to more pleasant guys they are now," the minister said.
Warner reported on what he called a "superb" meeting. “I met the association members, from a depressed bunch of guys to more pleasant guys they are now," the minister said.
He added that the $1.3 million cost is "a good investment." He promised that his ministry would monitor the plan, which would focus on transforming the police service.
“This is a transition plan to change the image of the Police Service," he said. "They want to change the image and get better results and better service, and this is what they are working on," he added noting that there is a need for the image of the police to change.
Ramesar told local media the plan began two years ago with an extensive data-collection exercise. "It is about improving attitude and getting police officers to change their behaviour and work ethics," he said. “We are taking the bull by the horns because we want police officers to display the right type of attitude to the public.”
Among its features will be an annual award for a police officer of the year. The jurors for this award would be members of the community. He expects the initiative to motivate police and get higher productivity.
“This is a transition plan to change the image of the Police Service," he said. "They want to change the image and get better results and better service, and this is what they are working on," he added noting that there is a need for the image of the police to change.
Ramesar told local media the plan began two years ago with an extensive data-collection exercise. "It is about improving attitude and getting police officers to change their behaviour and work ethics," he said. “We are taking the bull by the horns because we want police officers to display the right type of attitude to the public.”
Among its features will be an annual award for a police officer of the year. The jurors for this award would be members of the community. He expects the initiative to motivate police and get higher productivity.
“When we produce the police officer with the right attitude, this would transcend into the society and produce improved community links,” Ramesar said. “This is not a cosmetic approach to policing.”
He said it would not duplicate what officers learn at the Police Academy, which focuses on on syllabus, a lot of literature and theory but not on character-building of a police officer. "This plan deals with the removal of ego from the police officer," he said.
He said it would not duplicate what officers learn at the Police Academy, which focuses on on syllabus, a lot of literature and theory but not on character-building of a police officer. "This plan deals with the removal of ego from the police officer," he said.
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