“How much for the vehicle yuh driving?” This question was one amongst the torrent of words thrown at Minister of Works and Transport Rohan Sinanan and Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi (demoted from attorney general) in the course of a walking tour in Bamboo No 2. …
Read More »Daly Bread: Talking scrap; PM and CoP’s discouraging of liming shows govt’s anti-crime failure
As propounded last week and applying the words of the late Oxford legal philosopher, HLA Hart, whom I have frequently quoted, Trinidad and Tobago is now firmly in a situation in which “the laws of the land have legal validity but cease to be effective, leading to a breakdown in …
Read More »Daly Bread: And so it has come to pass; T&T suffering from breakdown in legal control
No, no Mr Jacob, Acting Commissioner of Police, you cannot expect us to be patient and bear with the police in tackling crime. During the 20 years of these weekly columns, violent crime—particularly murder and the impunity with which it is committed—has been a high profile subject. As long ago …
Read More »Dear Editor: The TTPS’ return to grey and blue uniforms is a move in the right direction
“[…] Over the last 10 years or so, junior police officers—some of whom may be still on probation—can be often seen wearing a blue operational jacket and black pants while on duty. “[…] In my view, this drop in the standard of dress—which has been allowed for years even before …
Read More »Dear Editor: Based on his recent statements, what will happen if Griffith is appointed CoP?
“[…] Is it acceptable for aspirants for the post of commissioner of police to publicly criticise each other by name before the selection process has been completed by the Police Service Commission? “[…] How is Griffith going to manage being the leader of a political party one day, and a …
Read More »Daly Bread: Compromising due process of law is potential catalyst for wider social unrest
Public trust and confidence in the capacity of our country’s institutions and high offices to make full disclosure and to observe due process of law has again been shaken. Compromising due process is a potential catalyst for wider social unrest because of the way in which the authorities manipulate the …
Read More »Noble: Wheels within Wheels; how crime flourishes with a malnourished public sector
Nobody wants to live in fear. Nobody wants to lose a loved one to crime or be victimised. The pain ricochets through the community as others experience the wrenching loss that descends on us in sudden ways. Most believe that the government is responsible for public safety. But our reactions …
Read More »Daly Bread: Confusion without conclusion; Govt’s vaccination drive is industrial relations disaster
One of my compères, who hails from the south-west peninsula and who has retained the good sense rooted in many areas of our country, was dismayed at the outset by the approach of the government when the Prime Minister declared Government’s intention to make vaccination a requirement for persons employed …
Read More »‘Downright dangerous!’ MSJ condemns Jacob’s explanation for use of tear gas on protesters
“[…] What is also of extreme concern was the statement made by more than one senior police officer, including by the CoP (Ag) McDonald Jacob, that the tear gas was used shortly after protesters started chanting ‘Rowley must go’. “Mr Jacob surmised that this chant could have been the precursor …
Read More »TTPS closes case of the 2016 killing of Japanese pannist Asami Nagakiya
‘[…] Following a review of the evidence on March 18th, 2021, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard expressed satisfaction that the investigation was thoroughly done. He concluded that all the evidence pointed to one suspect, David Allen, who was killed in a police-involved shooting on December 12th, 2016, in …
Read More »Dear editor: Is TTPS really pleased with a 20% solve rate and 1% conviction rate?
“[…] For years, the murder detection/solve rate has been less than 10%. No lie. I have been monitoring this since 2007. Typically, the ‘solve rate’ hovers between 4% to 6%. “This year, 2020, TTPS has risen to heights hitherto unseen, by reaching a whopping 20% solve rate. Of course, that …
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