A lawyer has urged police officers to speak up about poor working conditions, adding that the police chief makes demands, rather than requests of the prime minister.
Grant Connell said at the closing of the assize at High Court No. 1, in Kingstown on July 31, that he would be the voice of the police if officers fail to speak out.
He spoke in a packed courtroom during a sitting on Justice Brian Cottle’s last day as a judge, after 17 years on the bench.
The lawyer said he has visited the police stations throughout St. Vincent.
I’ve seen the mould, the missing windows, the toilets that don’t work, bats flying in and out,” Connell said.
“The roofs at some of the stations are filled with manure that can be used by clients in the mountain to grow their greens. The men in grey, if they like it so, you can’t do nothing to that!” he said, referring to the lower-ranked officers who wear grey and navy blue uniforms.
Connell, a defence lawyer, said crime is “nothing to smile about”, adding, “Justice must prevail.”
He said fingerprinting testing is not being used in crime-fighting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
“I know of scenes being processed in less than 45 minutes. They don’t have the resources. CRO (Criminal Records Office) has a kit with cones, brushes, flags and a camera but what can that do in this day of technology?” Connell said.
“They’re trying hard, they’re good men but without resources, they can’t do it.
Mek alyo step!”
As he had done in September, Connell pointed out to the court that prosecutor Shamrock Pierre, who has been a police officer for over 20 years including seven years as a prosecutor, is still an acting corporal of police.
This means that the prosecutor is, in essence, still a constable.
Connell noted that this is the case although Pierre has prosecuted cases in every magisterial district in the country.
Connell said some of the “men in green” — a reference to the senior ranks of the police force — got there on merit.
He, however, said that when he looks at some who are promoted, it is “like a bird that rises, they just stay so, they don’t flap their wings, they just stay so and glide.”
Connell said people should not blame commissioners of police for crimes.
Pointing at retired commissioner of police Colin John, who is now a senior magistrate and was at the High Court sitting, Connell said:
“When John was in office he was blamed for crime. ‘Colin this. Colin that.’ But now that he is out of office, crime still dey.”
He said the commissioner of police is “just a catalyst” in a process, adding that the commissioner has to sit down and listen and report to the prime minister because he has the ears of the prime minister.
The lawyer said the commissioner should make demands of rather than suggestions to the prime minister, who has ministerial responsibility for the police force.
Connell said the Georgetown Police Station has one vehicle that serves from Sandy Bay to Biabou.
If dem speak out how yo want dem get promotion ,? Yo want dem fo retire the same way they go in.
Let’s not feel too badly for the police at Georgetown. After all, they have one police station a one vehicle, which is one more of each than our Mayreau police have.
I’m my opinion , I think they deserve to be in that condition,. They love it like that. imagine they are going out in full force at peaceful, demonstrators who are demonstrating also to make their lives better. Instead of supporting them by protecting them
they are being harassed abused and aressted by them. Those who were responsible for such actions should be so ashamed of themselves. Wish the massa ar yo were trying to please leave ar yo in such condition. Imagine one fighting to make your life better and you fighting against it. Can’t believe some people so dotish.