by Linda Straker
- Public asked to assist law enforcement instead of challenging officers’ instructions
- At least 3 methods to resolve matters of public concern about Police Officers
The head of Grenada’s police force said he is concerned about the growing trend of citizens disrespecting on duty Police Officers. He has appealed for the public to assist law enforcement instead of engaging in actions that can be deemed as challenging the instructions of officers.
“I am becoming growingly concern of what seems to be an emerging trend of recalcitrance, resistance and noncompliance to Police Officers in the execution of their duties and in this context, I want to appeal to members of the public to assist the police officers in the execution of their duties,” said Edvin Martin Commissioner of Police.
“We do not get everything right and we do make mistakes but there is a legitimate means of following through if you think the Police has erred in any particular way,” Martin told journalists in the first quarter briefing on 14 April 2021. “But the blatant attack on police officers and disregard for the authorities to enforce the law is unacceptable, against our culture and normal practice.”
Martin disclosed that there are at least 3 methods used to resolve matters of concern from the public about Police Officers. He said that the management of the force is concerned about officers’ behaviour in the execution of their duties, and where those circumstances are identified, those officers are held accountable.
“From time-to-time officers do err and we do hold them accountable,” he said, pointing out that officers are held accountable by one of 4 means that include training, counselling, and disciplinary action. Where there is a “grave infraction” the matter is referred to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution for court action.
Referring to a recent incident in which a Police Officer was captured on video charging his gun, while a civilian was challenging the officer’s request to search his vehicle by physically assaulting and aggressively questioning the right of the officer to search his vehicle, Martin said that such behaviour is not the correct process to challenge the instructions of an officer.
Citizens who are aggrieved by the conduct of Police Officers can draw it to the attention of the Community Relations Department of the Police Force, file a criminal or civil matter in the court as well as file an official complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman has the power to investigate complaints from aggrieved persons about maladministration by the government departments/agencies and public bodies and initiate direct investigation, into issues of potentially wide public interest and concern.
Some of the officers are in the force to show off. Period. They show off their power, their guns, their uniform etc. Some, not all, needs to realize that they are to serve and protect the citizens not disrespect and feel they can act like what they see in movies. Remind your officers that they are not immune to prosecution and that they may encounter an ignorant person who would not think twice to do something foolish.
I am Grenadian who happen to live abroad, you need to take a look internally before you judge. Many a citizan would comply if treated with respect. However some of the officers think because they are wearing a uniform they can order people around. Not show any respect and then complain. The force take too long to respond to complaints and most of the time they have already made up their minds before they even arrive at the scene. They also think that they are above the law they vowed to uphold. I happen to know law enforcers and they all think they are right when it comes to certain situations. Don’t judge a book by its cover, read between the lines and that is when you get the full story.
It is also good that police men weigh the situation carefully, think about their actions, use correct judgement and make correct decisions to resolve issues. Its also good not always to give thickets but to speak kindly and firmly to the offender. He will certainly give you more respect and look at you in a good manner. Its not good that a police should be demanding, but he should let others speak and give their opinion, on the other hand he has to be firm when needed to be. But the most important thing is to listen, pay attention and make correct judegement.
Wait until you are at the wrong end of some of these people masquerading as police then you might be in best position to speak. In any law abiding society, Police officers should be leaders in enforcing and protection, however all too often on these islands, in my experience, far too many of these police officers are glaringly untrained, corrupt, do not uphold the law and are involved in too many things outside of their sanctioned duties. Maybe instead of questioning the public’s defensive reaction to all of these bad traits , the focus should be on continuous high level training and good guidance to assist these officers. Then we may see a restoration in people’s eyes to see police as people of good standing, dedication and real upholders of the law and a renewed/restored faith in our police officers for a cohesive society.
I am a bit shocked that he is only looking at the public as some of our police officers are a disgrace to the badge .
Some of our police officers behaviour are a disgrace so the public will treat them as such.
Take the incident with the officer who draw his gun in a traffic dispute and the well known illegal gun holder that the police ignore to take action against.
I rest my case as some of our police officers are involved in too many things outside of their police duties….say no more!!
Good outweighs the Bad in the RGPF, vast majority of officers dispite conditions are dedicated! So you my good man who appears to be a law abiding citizen would allow deviant behaviour to take root in the country? come on man. In all aspect of life you have good and bad, The police on the island arr among the best in the region i can tell you that ive been around.
He is correct it is a wrong trend
Has to be stopp