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Stop Anancy game of blaming the police and find a crime control plan
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Dear Editor,
Again for the second time in two years the Police Service Commission will be appointing a new commissioner of police. It is no secret that the government and some influential members of the private sector were unhappy with the performance of the police force in dealing with crime, and as always, somebody, which usually means the commissioner of police, would have to go.
While not debating the effectiveness or lack thereof of the now departed commissioner, I believe the time has come for a serious analysis of our crime situation and solutions put forward. The solutions must move beyond the usual resignations of the commissioners of police.
In this aspect, the government must take the lead and stop the Anancy game of blaming the police entirely for our predicament as this is disingenuous. It is generally accepted that the causes of crime are multi-faceted, but still the political directorate has always blamed the police for failing to control crime when certain aspects are beyond their control. The economic and social factors of crime are out of the control of the police. Also, if one is to believe that crime control and increasing public safety are the primary objectives of any criminal justice system and that this system is built around the police (law enforcement), courts and correctional services, then it is the government who has overall responsibility for these areas that have failed us.
This failure on the part of government has arisen because of their inability to devise or implement a plan that addresses these areas as a whole and not just separately. The government must put forward a credible crime control plan that involves all three areas of the criminal justice system. There must be a cohesive and cogent plan that links all three functions together. This is more than merely providing the police with more vehicles, increased salaries or a new commissioner.
While being just a lay person in matters of this nature, I believe such a plan should include the following: the police be given additional manpower and legislative support which were discussed but never agreed on at the Vale Royal Talks; the convening of a Bipartisan Crime Council with more groups which reflects the wider society; the courts be expanded, especially at the RM level and more judges appointed; at the correctional level, the plan to build another prison must be expedited and the rehabilitation strategies and practices must be examined with a view to improving and managing the confinement and re-entry process of those convicted back into society.
In essence, any crime plan being put forward by the government must look at the criminal system as a whole and seek to integrate efforts in each area or else we will continue the Anancy story and game of musical chairs. Then again, I am just a lay person, what do I know?
Mark Bennett
presbent@yahoo.com
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