Top Cop lauds, lambasts ranks during Awards Ceremony

Jul 19, 2018 News

– reckless ranks repay $2.4M for damaging vehicles

Senior members of the Force with other ranks and attendees

Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine yesterday heaped praise on ranks who performed at an exemplary level, while lambasting others whose actions had brought discredit to the Force
Addressing attendees at an Award Ceremony at the Tactical Services Unit drill Square, Eve Leary, Ramnarine noted that for the first half of this year, there was a 50 percent decrease in complaints against police ranks, with 149 complaints as against 280 for the same period last year.
The complaints included neglect of duty, police harassment, assault, wrongful arrest, corrupt practices, sexual harassment and fraudulent conversion. However, there was a 30 percent increase (56 cases as against 39) of ranks acting in a manner likely to bring discredit to the Force.
“A preliminary analysis suggests that improved and increased supervision, swift and condign action by the senior leadership of the Force, severe punishment, support through speedy and timely legal advice and some degree of reluctance in lodging a complaint, are the main reasons for this significant reduction in complaints,” Ramnarine said.
The Top Cop had particularly stern words for ranks who were involved in reckless driving. He noted that the traffic situation remains one of serious concern, “exacerbated not only by the careless, dangerous, reckless behaviour of civilian drivers…but by some of our very own who should know better, having received higher learning and training as law enforcement officials.”
“Our membership needs to quickly and constantly appreciate that the rules of the road are for all road users…”
He revealed that from July 2016 to June 2017, 18 members of the Force were involved in traffic accidents while driving Force vehicles, while 23 were involved from July 2017 to June 2018; a total of 41 ranks, seven subordinate officers, and 34 constables.
“Add this to another 18 ranks over that two-year period, being involved in accidents with their private vehicles, the occurrences cannot be ones that we can be satisfied with.”
On 18 occasions this year, where ranks driving Force vehicles were involved in accidents, the damage totaled $2,394,000. “They have been made to pay for the cost of repairs. Ten have completed payments, while others have some more time to do so.
On a positive note, the Top Cop reported that the force recorded a 17 percent reduction in serious crimes as compared to the same period last year.
“There were 3,181 reports of serious crimes between July 2016 and June 2017, compared with 2,656 reports between July 2017 and June 2018.”
The statics for the same comparative period show that there was a 32 percent decrease in murders, robbery under arms with the use of a firearm saw a 14 percent decrease, robbery under arms with the use of other instruments – 28 percent, robbery with the use of violence – 18 percent, larceny from the person – 39 percent, burglary – 8 percent, and break and enter with larceny an 18 percent decrease.
Commissioner Ramnarine stated that of the 44 murders reported for the first half of 2018, 36 of them have been solved.
He reiterated the force’s commitment to serve and protect and called on ranks to use their good judgement.
“Let us continue faithfully. The future is promising. Let us give our best, let us remain unmoved and not be distracted by adverse criticism. Let us strive to conduct ourselves beyond reproach.”

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