BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE issues of police corruption, brutality, cruelty and injustice against the public have been laid at the feet of supporters of opposition parties and non-nationals.
During Tuesday’s (Mar. 17) broadcast of the Prime Minister’s radio programme, “Ask the PM”, a caller raised the issue of police excesses and related issues. He called on the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, as the Minister of National Security to exercise “zero tolerance” to these alleged practices.
“The other matter I would like to speak about...is concerning police corruption...Not just police corruption but police excesses, police brutalities, police cruelties, police injustices. I am humbly and rightly asking you and your government as Minister of National Security to exercise zero tolerance in unwanted things like these.”
The caller made clear that he was not painting the entire police force with the same brush. He however indicated that, according to his sources, most of the individuals committing these acts of brutality, injustice, cruelties and corruption are either non-nationals or supporters of opposition parties.
“And let’s not try to sweep nothing under the carpet. These things are there. I am not saying that the police force in its entirety or its members practice these things, but the elements are there. And according to our underground sources, most of these elements, not all of them...are either supporters of opposition parties or ones who are not Kittitians-Nevisians.”
In his response, PM Douglas said the caller’s link between political affiliation and police corruption suggests that the acts are politically motivated.
“I hope to God that this is really not a generality of the police force, but maybe an accusation against one or two misled members within the police force. And as the caller seem to have complicated the matter by indicating that those who are carrying out the alleged excesses, brutalities et cetera are persons who are supporters of the opposition party, even makes it worse because it means it is being pursued with a party political end which definitely cannot be tolerated.”
Dr. Douglas expressed his agreement with the caller’s suggestion and acceded to his request for a zero-tolerance-stance to be adopted.
“It has to be brought to an end if it is happening. It must be totally circumscribed. It must not be allowed to spread to any other part of the force beyond where it is...To indicate that persons who may have been born out of St. Kitts, maybe those who have been recruited from other neighbouring islands are part of this practice, definitely, is not to be in any way tolerated...Caller you have my support in having zero tolerance for any form of police injustice or brutality...
“In every free society where the police will be working in the service of the people and in protection of the people, it’s really not good when we hear of serious accusations against the police with regards to police corruption, police excesses, police brutalities and injustices meted out on the population by the police. So, as the Minster of National Security and as the Prime Minister of this country and as a citizen of this country, I want to emphasise my own personal disgust with any kind of practice that has been so described by our last caller.”
