T&T POLICE REFORM BILLS: PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT OF SPAIN 000370 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP DOJ FOR OPDAT (R. LIPMAN) DOJ FOR ICITAP (R. RIVERA) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KCRM UK TD SUBJECT: T&T POLICE REFORM BILLS: PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW OF APPOINTEES; NEW COMPLAINTS AUTHORITY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Trinidad and Tobago's lower house of Parliament debated three bills, resulting from unusual government-opposition collaboration, aimed at reforming the police force in an effort to curb growing violent crime. The bills reconstitute the Police Complaints Authority as an independent body to investigate the police. Also, Presidential nominees to the top positions in the police force (determined in consultation with the Police Service Commission) will now be sent to the lower House of Representatives for Parliamentary approval. Prime Minister Manning announced that, as a result of the changes which facilitate contracting non-T&T nationals for the police force, some 39 British police officers will be able to join T&T's police force. The British High Commission confirms that these officers will arrive over the course of the next few months. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) Parliament considered three bills on March 15, to reform the Trinidad and Tobago Police Force and the Police Complaints Authority. The package of legislation came out of the bipartisan crime talks that began late in 2005 between the governing Peoples' National Movement (PNM) and the opposition United National Congress (UNC). The parties met on March 8 to finalize the details of the legislation before the parliamentary session, leading to a benign debate session. Leader of the Opposition Basdeo Panday quipped to the Speaker of the House "The Government is ruining my debate by agreeing to everything" after MP Kenneth Valley, Minister of Trade and Industry kept on saying "agreed" to Panday's minor revisions to the text of the bills. ¶3. (U) The Police Complaints Authority Bill did not receive much discussion, in spite of its significance. Previously, the Complaints Authority was a part of, and beholden to, the police force. The bill reconstitutes the Police Complaints Authority as a completely independent authority endowed with the authority to investigate serious misconduct, corruption or criminal offenses committed by police officers. The Police Complaints Authority then refers the results to the appropriate agency, including the Director of Public Prosecutions for prosecution. The Authority can initiate investigations on its own, or in response to a complaint made by the public, by the police or a disciplinary tribunal. ¶4. (U) The Police Service Bill changed the way the Commissioner of Police and high-ranking deputies are appointed. The legislation now requires the lower house of Parliament to vote on the recommendations made by the President, who receives input from the Police Service Commission. This change removes the so-called Prime Minister's Veto of the old system, in which the Prime Minister could disagree with the President's appointment of the Police Commissioner. The change also necessitated constitutional amendment because it alters the powers of the President. Although not completely convinced the Parliamentary vote is the best way, Prime Minister Manning noted that the PNM agreed to this system in the interest of moving forward with the legislation. PM Manning, at the conclusion of the debate, also noted that this bill makes it easier to contract with individuals, including non-T&T nationals, to work for the T&T police force. Manning stated that 39 British police officers are soon to be contracted and begin work in T&T. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: This legislation has come out of unprecedented government-opposition cooperation and agreement that something must be done to address the escalating crime issue. With general elections due no later than October 2007, both parties probably recognize the political expediency of passing legislation to address crime. Neither side can afford letting the other steal a march on them with this pressing issue. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: To the extent that the reforms bring openness to appointing the top cops in the country and provide some real oversight to the force with a truly independent complaints authority, they are a welcome step forward. However, it is PORT OF SP 00000370 002 OF 002 unclear to what extent the reforms will actually improve the quality of the force and "entrench a system of meritocracy in the police," as the Opposition wishes. Implementation, as it was noted during the Parliamentary discussion, is always the key to good reforms. Additionally, details are lacking about Manning's announcement of 39 British police joining the T&T Police Service. The British High Commission has worked with the Ministry of National security to facilitate hiring retired or retiring British police to serve alongside the T&T police forces as mentors and to provide on-the-ground technical expertise. These officers will arrive over the next few months, rather than immediately as Manning has implied in the press. END COMMENT. AUSTIN