Peter Richards, Contributor

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Is it a case of nostalgia, or do they really believe that they could put a serious dent in the high number of murders that conservative estimates say will surpass the 500 figure by this weekend?

Whatever the case, members of Trinidad and Tobago's notorious 'Flying Squad', a group of police officers formed in the 1970s and led by the late Police Commissioner Randolph Burroughs, have indicated a willingness to help in the fight.

"We want to support the police, and make recommendations, so that the police can go out there and do a better job. The public respected the Flying Squad and does not respect the Police Service today," said retired inspector Mervyn Cordner, the group's spokesman.

Flanked by his former colleagues, Cordner told a news conference on Wednesday that they had been looking at conditions in the country with respect to the crime, and are convinced that they can make a change to the increa-sing numbers of homicides in the country. Last year, just over 380 people were murdered here.

"We gave our lives to the country and we kept crime very low, and we can do it again. I have no qualms by saying this, and by us coming back as an augmented strength, you will see a change," said a confident Cordner.

Corrupt activities

"When we were around, people could have left their doors open. The criminals were afraid of us. We are here to bring this country back to civility ... .We want to make it clear that we are afraid of no one and we intend to show the country that we are serious."

Burroughs and members of his dedicated squad had criminals on the run during their 16-year period of crime fighting.

But, amid their success, the squad members were dogged by allegations of involvement in corrupt activities, including the illegal drugs and arms trade.

"During Randolph Burroughs's heyday, when his 'Flying Squad' was a law unto itself, answerable to no one, criminals were cut down like ninepins. But many innocent people also fell victims to that "death squad", and many more were "framed" and charged and went on to serve time in jail for crimes they knew nothing about," wrote former senior army officer and current newspaper columnist Raffique Shah.

He said that besieged citizens were crying out for "Burroughs-type operations" to eliminate the criminals, "which effectively translates into officially-sanctioned murder by the police".

In 1987, the then National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) government headed by Prime Minister ANR Robinson released the controversial Scott Drug report that contained allegations against 52 police officers, including members of the Flying Squad.

Testimony was taken in private before the then chairman, Justice Garvin Scott. Witnesses and underworld characters gave evidence against police officers, mostly members of the famous Flying Squad.

"The secret testimony also brought down the then Commissioner of Police Randolph Burroughs, a man who had put his life on the line and who has been credited with dealing with many criminals, even though many did not agree with his met-hods," wrote veteran crime reporter Francis Joseph.

Criminal activity

Before the Scott report was made public, Burroughs was charged with conspiracy to murder two wanted men on the Lady Young Road in Morvant, along the east-west corridor. Burroughs was committed to stand trial, but the case fell apart before Justice Jean Permanand in the Port-of-Spain High Court.

"Although he was acquitted, his credibility was in shambles and he retired early from the police ser-vice. It is said that Burroughs died of a broken heart over the ungrateful treatment he got from a country he risked his life for. With the upsurge in criminal activity, citizens ironically wish they had Randolph Burroughs around today," Francis wrote in a newspaper column on the various pro-blems plaguing the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

Two years after the court case against their leader, the members of the Flying Squad were recalled to duty. But, not all returned. Some took early retirement, others worked until the retirement age and two achieved the rank of assistant commissioner of police.

Restructuring

Neither the National Security Minister, Martin Joseph, nor the Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert has so far made any statement regarding the initiative outlined by the former police officers, but callers to various radio and television talk shows urged the authorities to look favourably upon the request.

Cordner himself may not have won over the authorities after he publicly criticised both Joseph and the Patrick Manning government's decision to employ United States-based Profes-sor, Stephen Mastrofsky, to assist with the restructuring of the police service, saying it was a waste of taxpayers' money.

He is also convinced that no number of police officers from Los Angeles or England would solve the country's crime problem.

"These people cannot go into Laventille or Bagatelle in Diego Martin and get anything. When we used to operate, we had no techno-logy. We need to go back to the basics of policing," said the Florida-based Cordner.

Asset

"In my view the Government still needs the help, and with us coming back ... with us being with them, it will be at a consultancy level and they will get the desired results. We need to go back to the basics of policing.

"People want to tell the police something, but they are afraid to do that because they are not happy with the results. But, we will change that," he added.

Head of the Police Second Division Association, Emrol Bruce, who has held discussions with members of the Flying Squad, said he is in support of the initiative.

"If they are used properly, they will be an asset to the police ser-vice, as they once were an asset to the country," he said, adding "in other countries, persons with their experience and ability are harnessed to ensure continuity".

Bruce recalls the commitment of the Flying Squad to the job.

"They remained on the job late into the night and early on mornings, until the job was completed. We really need them around to inspire the police officers about the true meaning of policing.

"They have offered their services, and insist they are not afraid of the criminals who are stalking the land," he added.