PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
A GROUPING of 22 organisations, representative of the private sector, has welcomed the move by the Trinidad and Tobago government and opposition to discuss legislation relating to the reform of the Police Service. "We expect that their debate and hopefully, passage in the Upper House, will be in the national interest, addressing the grave challenges presented by crime to the lives, liberty and security of all who reside here," the organisations said in a joint statement.
Parliament this week began debating the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, the Police Service Bill and the Police Complaints Authority Bill, following weeks of negotiations between the Patrick Manning administration and the main opposition United National Congress (UNC).
The move is seen as part of the efforts by the Manning government to deal with the rising crime situation that has so far this year resulted in the murder of 80 people. Last year, the murder toll stood above 370.
The group said that it also welcomed the Manning administration's decision to hire 39 British police officers to assist the local police. "We expect that they will be properly received and embraced by local law enforcement officers so that the transfer of their experience, skills and training will impact positively on the transformation of the rank and file of the Police service and not only the Special Anti-Crime Unit," the private sector body said.
