By Chantalé Fletcher
OPPOSITION MP Dr Roodal Moonilal says the descent by Prime Minister Keith Rowley and his appalling National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds into blaming citizens for the state of crime is another indicator that the Government is clueless in this crucial battle.
“Under this government criminal elements have no respect for the police or law enforcement.”
This according to the Oropouche East MP in a statement on Thursday.
Dr Moonilal made reference to the attack at the Port of Spain hospital, as a “defining moment in the breakdown of law and order and the collapse of the Rowley Government.”
He said, “Rowley and Hinds are now asking citizens to cooperate with the police but there is very low trust in lawmen, a situation worsened by the Government’s undermining and politicisation of law enforcement.
“The public has repeatedly said in public surveys that they have no confidence in the police service. In fact, even police officers generally do not trust their colleagues.”
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Dr Moonilal said there was an urgent need for a concerted effort to build public confidence by removing the few corrupt officers and securing transparency and accountability from the police.
He added that officers also have to win over the public’s trust by displaying respect and courtesy and responding with urgency and vigour to citizens’ reports. These are policy and program initiatives that must be led by the government.
Dr Moonilal said, “In this crime-riddled nation, Rowley and Hinds cannot expect the public to support and assist the police unless there is faith in the integrity and diligence of the men and women whose job is to protect and serve.
“Hinds has failed in every aspect of national security. Serious policy interventions are needed to regain trust and confidence in the law enforcement. The collapse of the SSA under the weight of abuse of office and the politicization of security agencies by senior government officials have also led to a “free for all” in the criminal underworld as intelligence gathering has been compromised.”
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He said under a UNC government the criminal elements will respect the uniform of a police officer.
Dr Moonilal said, “It is also long overdue that the Government creates and executes a comprehensive crime-fighting crusade since gangsters are becoming increasingly daring and merciless.”
