VZCZCXRO0673
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #0370/01 0831212
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241212Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6594
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0113

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