The recent headlines regarding Operation Rapid Strike were, to say the least, disturbing.
I am at a loss in trying to figure out what our police force is attempting to fight… crime or armed terrorists?
No one can deny the fact that crime is escalating at an alarming rate, by the same token no one can say that our police force has found the answers to the problem; but stooping to the level of the criminal element responsible for the situation, is most certainly not the route to go.
Trigger happy, Wild West characters.
John Q Public is still reeling under the effects of a number of incidents of what could be termed trigger happy officers who, it appears, seem to think that to shoot first and ask questions later are the reason for them being issued with a weapon. The tragic loss of an efficient crime fighter and an outstanding member of the Inspectorate some weeks ago should have been a wake-up call to the powers that be to take a second look at the methods employed in the issuing of firearms to police personnel. Persons entrusted with the use of firearms must be carefully screened in the areas of character; decision making, observation, patience and the ability to reason.
The Holy Scriptures reminds us that violence begets violence, if we were to take a look at the situation with regards to the drug war in Mexico, we will find the following. The government’s decision to declare an all-out war on the drug cartels is definitely not working. Over thirty plus thousand persons have so far been executed, mostly security personnel and undercover officers, in the most horrible fashion imaginable. It has also been determined that the drug dealers were able to out-gun the security forces, simply because they were able to purchase superior fire power. We have trigger happy thugs on our streets with AK47’s, superior to police weapons. The last thing the police should want is an all-out shooting war with criminals on our streets and in our communities, as innocent citizens, will become the victims of such folly.
The police mandate and priorities are: Preservation of the peace, protection of life and property, prevention of crime and the detection of crime.
Operation Rapid Strike, says the commissioner, has as its main objective the mission to seek out persons involved in murders, armed robberies, possession of illegal firearms, stealing of vehicles, stabbings, breakings and all other criminal activities. If those priorities are the mission of the individual officers involved in operation Rapid Strike, then please, Mr Commissioner, tell us what the duties of the remainder of the force will be during the operation of Rapid Strike. Explain to John Q, what has happened to the mandate that you and every other member and his brother of that institution known as, and called the RBPF signed, in order to become a member of that institution.
(1) To preserve the peace in this nation,
(2) To protect the life and property of its citizens,
(3) The prevention of crime and
(4) The detection of crime.
My dear commissioner, they have always been the primary reasons for the establishment of that great institution and will always be for the retention of it.
If each and every member of the force focus on their mandate, and identify the root cause for the escalation of offences in certain areas and collectively seek solutions, it would be a step in the right direction. Out here, resting in the shade of retirement, are many a sharp and active investigative brain of years gone by that are available to you just for the asking. No one individual, including you, has the answers to our crime problem; but collectively, we can find some answers.
The dangers of carrying out one’s mandate by means of media exposure.
Many modern day leaders of institutions, corporations and indeed politicians, find it fashionable or convenient to operate through constant media exposure. This path is a dangerous one, for it must be borne in mind that the media is a two-edged sword. Never mind the glowing terms and the well placed photos; because when you stumble, falter or fall, they – the media – are always the first to deliver the coup de grace to your hapless carcass. In fact advertising in advance your course of action only defeats its purpose.
We must all remind ourselves that crime is a social disease and must be treated as such.
It is the responsibility of all of us to unite in an effort to find a cure for the illness. In many cases we as a people are responsible for creating the climate that is responsible for the disease. In our system we tend to put the cart before the horse; when it comes to crime, government is the chief culprit in this scenario.
The millions of dollars put into new vehicles to add to an already congestive traffic problem should be spent in the rehabilitation system, after school programmes, trade school for drop-outs from school, and problematic youths, while upgrading the community policing programme.
Your job, Mr Commissioner, is not and never was an easy one, it is a thankless one; but the nettle of the captain of a ship is not measured by how he handles his ship in calm or good weather; but how he does in a hurricane or rough seas.
An autopsy of all programmes should be carried out before implementation, with a view to identifying flaws and/or loopholes. Remember the buck stops with you and so will the blame.
Errington W I Watkins
Nassau, Bahamas
January, 2011
