The latest batch of 167 police graduates, who are set to hit the streets next week, have been advised not to become distracted from apprehending the real bullies of the nation who live by muscle and deadly fire power.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at the Police Academy, St James yesterday, wife of President Anthony Carmona, Reema Carmona, described these bullies as, “Thugs who shoot, kill and maim and who control communities through fear and intimidation and who use this misplaced distrust of the police officer to keep their communities in a choke-hold.”
She said, “The ultimate in adult bullying is the cold blooded execution of a citizen by a killer with an in-your-face-attitude, cameras or no cameras.”
Carmona said fear, intimidation and distrust of law enforcement agencies had contributed to the crippling fight against crime in some communities.
She appealed to the new officers to become part of the solution to change this dynamic through the way they interacted with the public.
“Our society needs to recognise that the Police Service is not the enemy and we need to change that skewed perception. We can do so by our positive individual actions, deportment, courtesies and mannerisms,” she said.
She reminded them that personal safety was one aspect which had to be preserved.
Carmona said the relationship between police and community was a “splintered one” which needed to be repaired.
She urged the officers to engage young people in the community as one way to mitigate potentially explosive situations.
Referring to the concept of mediation which could assist in resolving volatile situations rather than brute force, Carmona advised, “In your line of work, always remember that mediation can be a greater weapon than the gun in your hand, to ensure sustainable peace, law and order. Never underestimate the power of mediation and compassionate dialogue in a dysfunctional social environment.”
She warned that “any and everything you do will be filmed and be on the internet in seconds. Your conduct and disposition must be one to be admired and respected by all.”
Carmona said with service leadership often in short supply in our society - sabre rattling and power posturing had become the ground rules of our social interaction and civil society.
She also admitted that crime solving was a big problem, with detection rates at an all time low.
Carmona said a return to the era of the sleuth was necessary as she recalled her husband’s early advice to investigating officers that, “When it looks suspicious, it is suspicious.”
She added some criminals were opportunists just waiting to present themselves to the unwitting target, while others carefully planned their crimes.
“The keen eye must always be a weapon of choice and is the elixir of policing competence,” she warned.
Carmona said in this society where no one sees and everyone hears, “It is always just fireworks and firecrackers and not gun shots and bullets and you need to change that cultural cop out by building the community’s trust and faith.”
She urged the officers to remain true to the uniform and oath of office, “Temptation is everywhere. When you see your batch tempted, don’t join but rather guide them away because there are people out there who feel because they have a price, you have a price. They come looking for buyers, but you must always remain true to that uniform you wear. Be always a police officer, in and out of uniform.”
During his address, acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams urged the recruits to follow the right path and not fall in error.
He said while the organisation will at times be tarnished in the eyes of the public, the policing profession was still a noble one.