Following the Police Commissioner’s bold declaration to reduce the spate of murders by June,
President of the Police Social Welfare Association ASP Gideon Dickson said he is wary of such promises, but vowed that his organisation would support any efforts.
During a joint select committee on Monday, CoP Erla Harewood-Christopher said the police service anticipated a change in the murder rate by June.
Dickson in a Newsday report, said: “From an association perspective, we want to err on the side of caution in terms of creating any false expectation of anyone. But we would also want to rally and support any initiatives that the commissioner believes will work towards curtailing the rate at which murders are happening in TT.
“Our police officers remain committed to ridding the streets of all illicit firearms. We need the information, the intelligence, we need it to be able to make this place a safer place.
“It is it with that in mind we stand firmly and ready, as a body, to continue to pursue our agenda to ensure that the amount of murders we are judged on is reduced. But we cannot, at this juncture, say that it will definitely happen by June. But we are going to take all efforts in collaboration with the executive arm of the organisation to make things happen.”
Dickson added: “It requires all of us to play an active role, and it is with that in mind, we believe the other other entities who could assist us in removing some of the illegal firearms from off the streets – which has shown to be the weapon of choice in terms of committing these crimes – we need everyone to play their part.
“We need the Customs (and Excise Division) to be more robust in terms of what comes through our legal ports. We need our coast guard brothers to be more vigilant out on the waters. We need our communities to take ownership – see something, say something.”
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