As part of its Police Week celebrations, the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (CDPF) hosted a panel discussion on the topic “Policing, a Job or a Way of Life” last evening.
The panel featured Former Deputy Chief of Police Hansel Valerie, Magistrate Candia Carette-George, Inspector Lincoln Corbette and Corporal Joan Joachim and was moderated by Head of UWI Open Campus (Dominica) Dr Francis Severin.
The consensus among the panelists was that policing was more than just a job but was in fact a way of life, though each related that notion in a unique way and from varied perspectives. Valerie, who served the CDPF for 36 years including his eventual rise to the rank of Police Commissioner reckons that the call to service is the highest calling that one can have other than worship for God.
“Policing can be many things to many people. It can be an occupation and it can be a way of life. For me, it was more a way of life than anything else having served 36 years as a police officer. I remember the opportunities that I had to develop myself and my knowledge in the profession in many different areas of the world, all geared toward equipping me to be a productive police officer. There is no higher calling or pursuit in human life, save only for the worship of God,” Valerie remarked.
Magistrate George related her experience growing up as a police officer’s daughter and as a magistrate, who interacts daily with police officers. She reported her
observation that some investigating officers are not thorough as to their investigations.
She stated, “A lot of police officers don’t take their job seriously. I do not mean to criticize, but just a few observations from where I sit. The way investigations are conducted. Police officers need to understand that when matters come to court it’s all a matter of evidence and if the investigations are not done thoroughly the cases can go down the drain. So I would want to encourage police officers to take policing as a way of life, be passionate about what you do and put your all into your investigations.”
Inspector Corbette spoke of his tenure of service at the Carib Territory from 1997 at a time when trust in the police and confidence in their ability to do their jobs was way down. He said that he and his fellow officers strived hard to rebuild that trust by not looking to only arrest people, but to resolve issues between the locals.
“During my three years there, although we were faced with a lot of hostility, we were able to build back the people’s trust in the police. It was very difficult because everybody was against the police then. I believe we really implemented the true meaning of community policing, in that we were able to go throughout the community and bring back the trust of the police to the people,” Corbette said.
Joachim pointed to the fact that police officers are held to a higher standard, by law, by public perception and by the organization itself and therefore it cannot be just a job, but a way of life that must be evident in every aspect of their life.
She said, “If you have taken an oath it tells me that you have decided to govern yourself a particular way, you have decided to make something a way of life and not just a paycheck. After rigorous training, how can it be just a job? It shouldn’t be. You are constantly under scrutiny, you have to guard your integrity and we are governed by legislation. It can’t be just a job. It must be a way of life. Even if one gets into it as just a job, after being trained and getting into [service] you have to make a decision [that this is a way of life].”
The audience at the discussion included a number of current and retired police officers as well as the new class of police recruits who are set to graduate training later this month.
I SALUTE THE OFFICERS WHO ARE BENT ON SOLVING CRIMES AND STAYING FREE OF POLITICS.I CAN NAME A FEW IF YOU CAN..SOME OFFICERS REALLY WORK HARD WITHOUT PREJUDICE NOR FAVOUR TOIL NIGHT AND DAY TO KEEP THE NATION SAFE.HEARTS OF TO YOU GUYS. THE TOP COP KNOW THE GOOD GUYS. FIX MARIGOT STATION PLZZZZ..MAGWAYSA. FENCE WESLEY STATION YARD.WE NEED TO PROTECT THE GOOD GUYS.THE POLITIANS IN THE FORCE STOP POLITIKING AND DO UR WORK FOR A FAIR DAYS PAY.P.M PLZZZ TAKE CARE OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROTECT OUR LAND AND BORDERS.GIVE THEM A PROPER PLACE TO LIVE IN AND NOT A RUBBISH DUMP.YOU GUYS SLEEP COMFORTABLE EVERY NIGHT.PROTECT THEM TO PROTECT YOU AND TO ALL THE LAZY OFFICERS WHO JUST RECEIVE A SALARY FOR DOING NOTHING IT’S NOT FAIR TO THOSE WHO TRY THERE BEST AND DEPENDS ON YOU FOR SUPPORT.
Sa police fait zou noh
that task force there is part of the scare tactic………… I never see dominica more tense…..it is like a powder keg…any little spark and BOOOOOMMMMMM>< as a reformed criminal I PRAY that we still have some good eggs in that CDPF basket…
This police force is too political.Police week had to center on that. This police week is just a farce since in Dominica today investigation of complaints depends on which political party you support,whether you are ugly or handsome and a lot of other crap. How can police week be complete unless the public is spoken to in detail re the GON Emmanuel attempted murder. Who is in charge of the police? Tony,PM or Carrette.? Why is it that parl reps have to recommend who they think should be officers and who not.This is the hallmark of a failed institution that is driving the public further and further away from them.The bad elements in the force needs to be purged also. Sooner rather than later. MY CONFIDENCE IN YOU ALL IS JUST 0.5%.
In a nutshell, having read all the posting on the theme.I conclude it ought to be renamed POLICE WEAK THE IDEAL WOULD BE POLICE STRONG. But all manifested points to a Commissioner who is a fowl/Cock in a horse and donkey race.Totally out of place.Poor guy.
YOUR CONFIDENCE IS TOO LOW WHILE I MAY AGREE WITH YOU BUT WITH THE RECRUITING PART OF IT THAT IS VERY TRUE THAT’S Y WE CAN’T FIND GOOD AND EFFECIENT POLICE ANYMORE.THE RECRUITING PROCESS IS A SHAME.AS FOR THE POLITICS IT HAS GONE WAY TOO FAR..
you have alot of confidence papa!
The celebraion of something as important as Police Week,by this institution is incomplete unless it includes along the way a reason, i.e a clear explanation of all the unsolved murders we have had in this small country over the past few years. The public also need to be told who is the police high command: Tony,PM or Carrette? Who is the person? What about the attempted murder of GON Emmanuel and his wife? .The police must stop insulting the public by putting on this farce called POlice Week at a time when tne public is pellucidly clear of the political leanings of the high command and other gazzetted officers in the force. It is publicly displayed,and its unprofessional.. Politics and good policing has nothing professional in it Sir/Madam..The institution is less professional now that it was five or ten years ago.(It’s because of politics,and bad elements who clearly do not qualify to be police officers).Most investigations depend on who you are and the party you support.SHAME ON YOU ALL!
imagine an investigation of a fire is ongoing and tony astaphans has a radio programm where he is in direct contact with someone seko whom the police is interested in and even asking seko questions on the radio. this is just manipulating justice and interfering with an investigation. secondly howcan that same tony have a report of the njis on radio. that is breach of confidence and interfering with information of national security. why the police has not arrested and charged tny astaphands for the sameoffense they charge dawn yeawood?
What is happening to the GON Emmanuel case, we do not want to hear anything from this Police Force unless they give us the an answers to these questions! You have no credibility! Sorry you have no moral authority!!
Carrette is no longer seeking to have Earl Grant return to Dominica for questioning.
Action speaks much more clearly than words do. Until we begin to see the police doing their job without fear or favor only then we shall buy into the police organization. At this point I regret the fact that I have no confidence in the police. There are just to many blatant crimes committed by the police themselves and the politicians. From a personal stand point it is a risk to cooperate with the police at this point. I’ve felt the blunt of oppression and victimization because of my decision to bring light to improprieties – drug dealing among government favored individual and the end of it I was reminded that my family could be in jeopardy and that I could become black listed.
Because of the misty environment within the police department there are many nervous police officers- off all different ranks. Some are good people with good intensions and are forced to remain silent. There are police officers who must go with the flow only because their hands are already dirty and so they must go with the flow else!!!!!!
The top COP must muster up some courage and either resign or stand up to the senior counsel. The Top COP must stop allowing the senior counsel to talk down to him and direct other officers without talking to the TOP COP himself. I’d like to hear them deny that.
who killed KAMALA and Dem from newtown
who killed POLO from citronier/newtown
who killed BOB from citronier/newtown
who killed TYPE WRITER/LOVERBOY/ZOBIE ZERO from newtown
who killed WASIN PAK from eggleston
etc etc etc etc
who killed APACHE from newtown
yah more unsolved murders
what about the cops that the PM say are being monitored and still they are enlisted while there is evidence on them why not have them arrested and charged tried and convicted? Is not this a National security matter? WHAT ABOUT THOSE talk show hosts who continue to show no regard to the SECURITY DETAILS of the PM AND STILL THEY HAVE NOT BE BROUGHT IN NOR QUESTIONED BY THE POLICE? No where else is this stupidness tolerated. How can these people so publicly on Radio criticise the police service for providing security for pm? WELL THIS FOOLISHNESS HAS TO STOP.
SO WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY MA BOY..WHO KILL EVERYBODY THAT DIE NEW TOWN MAN..LOL…
It is very interesting to see these former and current Police Officers speaking out on the importance of the Rule of law and how Police officers must do more about the role they play in today’s society.
I commend them for that.
But they should aso call out the lagging officers who tend to drag the Force down with their non-charlant attitute.
Talk about solving crime, staying free from politics and repairing the Police Headquarters. It need’s a paint job at least. Clean around it.
Well said, words to live up to.