In the event that police officers withhold their services from this weekend’s Panorama competition, the Defence Force is ready to step in. This was the response of civil military affairs officer of the Defence Force Major Al Alexander when asked if soldiers had been asked to assist with Carnival events, following threats by the Police Social and Welfare Association that officers would stay away from Carnival events.
He could not say whether the Regiment had been asked to assist but said: “If asked by the Police Commissioner we are ready to support.” Secretary of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Michael Seales said yesterday only Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar could save the day.
Seales said police officers were adamant they would withhold their services for this weekend’s Panorama semi-finals and other major Carnival events if their salary negotiations were not brought up to speed. “The Defence Force can always step in but they cannot make arrests for even minor infractions,” Seales said. “Even traffic management, they are unable to do that. They can fill the void with numbers but they cannot carry out the functions of a police officer.”
Asked if any Government official had contacted the association Seales said that was yet to happen. He said shortly after a press briefing at the Besson Street Police Station on Wednesday, there were several missed calls from National Security Minister Gary Griffith. “We didn’t take his call because we believe the minister cannot help us.
“We also do not want to speak to the acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams because he too cannot help us. The only person who can help us is the Prime Minister and she has been known to save the name. “We are reasonable men and our membership are being reasonable in their demands,” Seales added.
When contacted the association’s president Insp Anand Ramesar said if the Prime Minister failed to meet then it would send a signal that she cared neither about police officers nor the public. Ramesar also warned that people who attended fetes and Panorama void of police presence would be doing so at their own risk. “And promoters who have these fetes, knowing there is insufficient police officers are putting the lives of the patrons at risk. The only safe fete to go is Army fete,” Ramesar added.
Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams yesterday said the matter of salary negotiations was out of his hands. “It is a matter directly for the Government and the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO),” Williams said in an interview. He said he was supportive of the association because all they were doing was “looking after the well-being of their officers.
“I agree that police officers must receive better salaries and must be paid according to international standards.” Williams referred to comments made by former New York city police commissioner Bill Bratton’s statements that for police to perform at their best they needed to be paid better salaries. Williams said Government must pay heed to that.
PanTrinbago responds
In a brief telephone interview yesterday PanTrinbago president Keith Diaz said his organisation had sent a letter to Griffith and had been assured there would be a backup plan if police officers withheld their services. Diaz said he had also been told by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) that the commission was currently discussing the situation with stakeholders. “Jump high or jump low there will be a Panorama competitions this weekend,” Diaz said.