The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) pledged on the campaign trail in 2012 to make saturation patrols part of the crime fight if elected. The suggestion was a bit ambitious, as in recent years we have not even had consistent marked patrols in New Providence. We would need to get there before saturation patrols could be aspired to.
Of late, though, police officers of the Mobile Division have been more noticeable. We by no means are at the point of saturating anywhere with patrols. But, we are moving in the right direction by diverting more officers to frontline duties.
The commissioner of police and Ministry of National Security may consider doing a comprehensive manpower and deployment review - if they have not already done so - in order to see if the force structure today is meeting the challenges we now face.
But in moving toward more frontline presence in New Providence, where there is a crime problem, we must not forget to equip our officers with all the tools they need to be safe. In 2014, all officers going to patrol in New Providence should have access to a bulletproof vest. These officers should also have access to a firearm and sufficient ammunition to protect themselves and the public in the case of a serious shootout.
Additionally, the force should ensure that a reasonable selection of non-lethal weapons is available to officers. These could include collapsible batons, pepper spray and Tasers. Access to these weapons would allow officers not to have to use their firearms as often. We have seen some officers with some of these non-lethal weapons. They should, however, be standard issue for all on frontline patrols.
We should not be sending officers out without the necessary tools to protect themselves. For the force to send young men and women into the violent inner city communities of New Providence with no firearms and no vests is a negligent act that could lead to their deaths.
Officer safety should be of the utmost concern. These men and women work days and nights to protect us. Many sacrifice stability and comfort in their personal lives to ensure that the job is done and that bad people are found and incarcerated.
Too often the full blame for our crime problem is placed on police officers. They certainly can improve their collective performance in quite a few ways. However, the institutions of the criminal justice system in The Bahamas across the board are in a state of collapse. This has been coupled with an irresponsible culture of reproduction where mothers and fathers increasingly refuse to raise their children - instead leaving them to be brought up by the streets. Many are at fault for the disorder on our main island.
If we can find money to pay contractors who are the friends of politicians for buildings we don't need, we as a country can find the money to buy our police officers the equipment they need to safely carry out their duties. We hope the government ensures they have all they need.
Our current Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage is the son of a policeman. His junior minister, Keith Bell, was a policeman. They know how hard officers work to get the job done.
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