Two US crime fighters will be returning to T&T to help improve the dismal detection rate of the police service, says National Security Minister Gary Griffith. Griffith, speaking to the media at the passing out parade ceremony for the latest batch of police officers at the Police Academy in St James, said the foreigners were expected next month.
Both former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and police commissioner of the City of New York William J Bratton have been retained previously by the National Security Ministry to help map a way forward. The minister said their arrival was “tied up” by red tape. Back in June, an announcement was made that Giuliani and Bratton were coming to conduct an audit of the police service to help improve investigation methods, including better forensic testing, to improve the detection rate.
Griffith said serious crimes were at the lowest level in 31 years and from 2009 to now crimes had been reduced with the exception of homicides.
Asked how they would differ from the Scotland Yard officers who were in T&T to assist the Police Service several years ago, Griffith said, “We had a lot of foreign-used tired men who were basically raping the Treasury from $150,000 a month with very little training. You can’t compare Scotland Yard to Mayor Giuliani and commissioner Bill Bratton who has become the most successful person in the world. A major city like the United Kingdom brought them there to deal with criminal activity.”
Referring to the recent murders in the capital city, he said: “It seems to be a lot of bitterness and hate and rage in this country and it is unfortunate people can take the law into their own hands. This is where law enforcement comes in.”
Manpower boost
Griffith said the manpower boost in the police service would allow soldiers to go out and police rural areas. “Soldiers are now patrolling with the police and now we can allow the soldiers to do the training they are supposed to do. This won’t stop unless we get the full complement established in the Police Service.” The manpower of the Police Service now stands at 6,617 with the intake of 287 new officers. The sanctioned strength of the TTPS is 7,715.
As he addressed the audience, Griffith said he was happy to see so many female recruits which was the largest number in eight years. A total of 130 women and 157 men who completed six months of training will now be hitting the streets. He urged the officers to be loyal, patriotic, use minimum force, not to abuse their authority, and not be arrogant.
Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams said the new officers would fill some vacancies. He said the country was crying out for the Police Service to deliver and they needed to help improve the standards.