The police hierarchy have acknowledged that there is a “teething” problem with the current telephone system at the some police stations on the island.
Police Commissioner, Cyril Carrette tackled the thorny issue at a press conference yesterday while addressing the issue of the attack on Pagua Bay Guest House that left one Irishman, Joseph Costello, dead and the proprietors of the hotel, Rick and Alicia Davison, nursing injuries.
Carrette admitted that there was a problem with the telephone system at the Marigot Police Station at the time of the incident. Reports indicate that the guest house’s security guard, who witnessed the incident, was trying to contact the station for a while before any help could be reached.
He said that the information had actually been relayed to the Marigot Police Station from the Police Headquarters in Roseau, after the report had come in there.
Carrette stated, “The information came from Police Headquarters. We have a teething problem, because they’re trying to upgrade the system and during that [upgrade] we have problems, so sometimes you can’t get the Police Station when you call them.”
While agreeing that the current situation is cause for concern, the Commissioner also pointed out that electrical problems at the same station also hampered communication efforts, as it further affected the already faulty system.
He said, “The improvement to the system is ongoing and those things don’t happen one time, there are always problems when you are starting something new. So hopefully, we will have that resolved. We have just provided inspectors with cell phones. We are not going to make those numbers available to the general public. That number will be available to other police officers. The public numbers are displayed and we expect the numbers to work. That is not our problem really, when they do not work. That is why people can always get Police Headquarters, [except] due to some act of God, but in most instances you can and they would be able to communicate to any other supervisor, because they have the numbers available.”
my last 3 comments have been moderated into the censorship void. This seems to happen every time I have an opinion that criticizes the government or suggest there is room for improvement. But criticism written in the vulgar vernacular such as “DAT THERE PM BE A FOOL” seem to get posted all the time. Nice way to send a political message. Does DNO provide an open forum for free discussion on news report or is something else going on? Moderation seems to be a power that can be bought at DNO…hey, its a great PR investment for the unscrupulous. Congratulations, you are good at it. I guess my only option is to get off my butt and compete with you. Nah, I’m too lazy for that…Oh, well. You win, we loose.
I posted my comment on yesterday’s story about the deputy being at fault because i assume you don’t moderate “old-news” so please feel free to delete my previous comment and moderate my post on the deputy at fault story, thanks
ADMINSTRATION;
I SUSPECT YOU KNOW US.
WE DONT KNOW YOU AND YOU ARE HAVING FUN AT OUR EXPENCE WHEN SO MANY OF US ARE SAD AND SUFFERING.
YOUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS SELECTIVE TO THOSE YOU CHOOSE.
WHY DID YOU TAKE OUT THE CONTRIBUTION WE MADE?
WE SIMPLY WISH TO ADVISE YOU TO BE CAREFUL IN YOUR IVORY TOWER
it is amazing how foolish some Dominicans can be, the lines has problem do you expect the officers at the station to fix it….. come on.
i hope when ur life depending on it you will be saying the same thing, as677890-= all people are saying is that it is UNACCEPTABLE that an institution as CRITICAL as the police department have such a DEPLORABLE telephone system>> dont you agree??? that an institution such as the police department should be available AT ALL TIMES??? god man what rock some of allu crawl out under i dont know eh.
They cannot fix it themselves but the telephone provider knows that it is a Police Station which should never be without telephone service for obvious reasons.
If the Police was aware of it, he should have been concerned knowing the importance of having telephone service at all times at a Police Station.
Could the telephone provider not have thought of giving this Police Station a cellular phone? Why did they not consider it?
If this were done and in good time, the Police should have advised the public via the Media and provide a telephone number in the event they wanted to contact the Police Station.
Since it is a Police Station, the telephone provider should not just opt and upgrade their system without giving them ample notice, allowing the Marigot Police to put in place some means of communication. Something could have been done to avoid temporary telephone service at the Police Station.
It was an error on their part. Who is wrong and who is responsible for this error? They need to ask themselves this question and take steps that it will never recur.
It is as simple as that.
Dominica was the first place in world to have a digital telephone exchange.Is the Dominica Police Force stiil on the outdated
analogue exchange? If so, someone in the Ministry of Communication is fast asleep on the job.
@ thinker
Dominica is fortunate if it is the only one in the world to have a digital telephone exchange. Is this really true?
It is prophesied that when Our Lord comes He will get rid of all this technology, world-wide of course. The Financial sectors, you know as the Stock Exchange, financial institutions and factories which sap people’s minds will be the first ones to go. For those who will be alive, this will be something to experience.
At the end of August, come September 1st, all of Canada will be going digital. Digital is already here but those who are still on Analog are being advised of the conversation and that their TV will not be operable on September 1st.
This is going to be an expense for customers. Those who have cable and satellite will not be affected because they already have a digital box. Those who do not have cable and satellite must purchase a digital converter box. I was told that there is also a digital antenna. To purchase both of these will cost over $100.00. Consider those who have more than one TV if they do not subscribe to cable and satellite or fibre.
They could also purchase a TV with built-in digital and speaker. You know how much one could cost.
The advertisement is that the Federal government and CRTC – Canadian Radio and Telecommunication Co. are the ones who are responsible for this. I also know that the Cable, Satellite and Fibre Providers had a great part to play in it. It is all money, money, money, greed and get richer at the expense of customers. More money in their pockets/bank accounts.
They have not explained why Canada is going digital which will also be expensive for many people. Consider the poor who may not be able to afford to subscribe to cable, etc. and who will not be able to afford to purchase a digital box and a digital antenna. Those powers do not consider them at all.
For curiosity sake, I plan to write my Federal MP and also CRTC by email to enquire why did they find it necessary for Canada to go digital. I will request a response. Of course, other countries are doing likewise. This is also what we call progress. So much for that.
Here is some mortal and spiritual food for thought.
I have this information. It was a message given to someone a few years ago. No joking. It makes sense to me. Having stated that I can imagine the feedback on this one.
Yes we can appreciate things can go wrong,
but police headquaters must put pressure on the local police stations,explain to them that the reason for joining the police force is to enforce the law,on many occasions when you walk into the local police stations if you are not a young female you are totally ignored i have personally witnessed this on many occasions,i have one occasion was told i,m a nuisance,this is unacceptable,Dominica will not go forward with this attitude.
yes we can appreciate things can go wrong,but
i must point out that the police headquaters must start putting pressure on the local police stations,sometimes when you walk into those stations if you are not a good looking young woman ,the police in the station are not interested,this is the honest truth,i’ve experience it myself on many occasions.
Are those phones equiped with “call waiting”? are the police not always on the phones talking to their teenage girlfriends? If that was the case then they would not have heard the phone ringing.
you never see the police dodat so dont say dat ok
If as someone stated that Dominica has a digital exchange, the phones in the Police Station should have call waiting and also visual call display. Call waiting should be mandatory.
Some people could block their lines or have the telephone company block their lines so that their number and name will not show or only the phone number will show without the name.
I do not know what type of phone system is in place at Police Stations.
In Toronto or Canada for that matter, I was told that if people telephone the Police Station and their name and number are blocked, they can be unblocked. Their system is equipped with some sort of gadget which will disable the block. Ever heard of this? I hope the DA Police authorities take note.
Let us say no one will be able to call them and play a prank on them or swear at them. They will be caught.
Perception is everything. Police in Dominica is perceived to be one Big Sewo.
Now Who made this unsophisticated man head of something as serious as a national police force?
@ PIV
Please do not make me laugh which is what I am doing. It is the manner in which you stated it.
It’s a sad state of affairs for our country Dominica,when the leader of our National Security is passing the “buck” somewhere else.This is totally unacceptable and a shame.Communication is the backbone of our world.There should be radios at every police station,where communication from any station can be heard by another station.
As chief of police he should be accountable and very upset at such a situation.His reaction reveals how our leaders are inept,unqualified and have a non-chalant attitude to things which are of vital importance to the safety,security and general well being of sweet Dominica.
sir! what exactly are you saying? are you saying that between lime and marpin the government cannot find a solution for that problem that has been in existance for years?
Are you saying that L.I.M.E is unable to provide efficent telephone service to that
police station which is at such an important
location ? WHY doesnt the whole community and the hospital which is in close proximity to the station have the same problems ?
PHONE Teething problems? in POLICE A POLICE FORCE THAT IS READY TO FIGHT CRIME.HELP! HELP!
CALL THE POLICE !! OR THE TELEPHONE DONT WORK,CAN YOU IMAGINE THE HORROR ?
fool! the hospital have the same problem… get that in the empty calabash you call a head.
carette that there man??? IN EITHER INSTITUTION IS IT UNACCEPTABLE. who feels it knows. when u in the situation you will cross the floor. and cease your empty comments
@ Me
This should also never happen at a hospital.
I’ve read and reread Mr Carrette’s statement (just to make sure he actually said ‘that is not our problem really, when they do not work’. Well are we to blame the phone network provider, no we have to blame the user (DPF). If your phone line is not working, then you make sure it is repaired. You advise the public and offer them alternative numbers to call on.
Who maintains police buildings?
Don’t make feeble excuses. Check that ALL police stations phone lines are in working order.
@ FED UP DOMINICAN
I believe that I read the telephone provider was upgrading its system. Nevertheless, there was some negligence that the Marigot Police Station was without telephone service.
Mr. Cyril Carrette
Police Commissioner
Teething problems? It must be a baby.
With due respect to you and your Police Force especially at Marigot Police Station, this is a serious matter.
I am “teething” mad! You cannot afford to take chances and to have interruption of telephone service, especially in these times of increased criminal activities of every sort at a Police Station, specifically at a weekend and at such time in the evenings.
Every enterprise throughout the world upgrades their services. However vital services are to be made available to the public at all times with sufficient phone lines.
Surely this should be known and proper procedure taken to ensure that there is no such interruption of service.
In such a case another method should have been implemented that the public could reached the Police Station in the event of an emergency. There should be a “walky-talky” or a cellular phone whereby the Police Station could be reached.
The public should be advised accordingly in the event of such an upgrade. They should be given an emergency telephone number to call.
Mr. Carrette, since such atrocious crimes were committed, a man lost his life, two people were injured and lucky for them they were not murdered, items were stolen, the government and/or the Police Department could be and should be held responsible and sued for failing to be able to respond to residents urgent telephone calls which culminated into what occurred.
You know, Mr. Carrette, I reside in Canada and when I read of such which I view as sheer negligence in this day and age, it gets me extremely angry and disappointed in this type of system.
This should never have occurred in Dominica. The lines should also never be busy and not for long in case of an emergency.
In the case of upgrades, the Telephone Company should have advised you who in turn should have advised the Marigot Police Station and some sort of telephone number be made available to respond to specifically emergency call. Some failure has been exercised. I will not be surprised if those concerned sue the Government and the Police Department. This cannot be taken lightly where it also concerns loss of life.
It does not matter whether the victim is a non-Dominican or not. The victim was residing in Dominica and the Police should have been able respond to this urgent call.
It may be that some of us with our experience and expertise, if possible, will have to return to Dominica to assist Dominica, our beloved country accordingly. There is too much nonsense which is occurring in Dominica as we read about.
May this situation never recur.
I made a joke that I am “teething mad.” Just wanted to be funny.
You know when babies are teething how they could be and angry too. Actually the word is “seething.”
Collins Dictionary: Teething Problems, If a project or new product has “teething problems” it has problems in its early stages or when it first becomes available.
As babies do when they are teething, in the early stages of their life.
ALL YOU DOMINICANS WILL GIVE THE COMMISSIONER A BREAK.SOME OF ALL U ONLY LIKE TO CRITICIZE PEOPLE AND ALL YOU CANNOT DO BETTER.
It is not our duty to do better, he is being paid to do the job and if he is incompetent them move aside let someones else do it.
U dominicans too like to accept mediocre from our leaders and professionals thats why we still behind when we should be leading..
What is the price tag and value of a Dominican’s (black man)life and that of a European? Men who are we as a people after slavery was abolished in 1834?—‘Massa Day is not done’ – ask Skerrit and Carette- an interesting pair to say the least.- shame.
Really really what is this country coming to? I see alot of regress happening, I mean an emergency can occur at anytime and anywhere and these guys take forever to repair 1 small issue.
Teething problems belong in a nursery not a police station. If there were actual problems with the phone at that time it is very convenient for you Mr. Carrette as there have been hundreds of times when people have phoned the police stations around Dominica (marigot included) that the phone is never answered, or, if it is answered, the police can’t come because either they have to stay and answer the phone (what is the point of them being there then ???) or they don’t have a way to get to you…no vehicle.
Please give Dominicans the respect for having some intelligence !
Don’t try to blow this off with such a lame excuse. Admit that there are massive problems in the police force. We all know it and by trying to duck the responsibility you are creating an atmosphere of greater distrust and anger by burying your head in the sand and not dealing with it.
Perhaps some of the money set aside for the new State House could be put towards an effective police department before we have a state that is beyond protecting.
We have some good police officers who actually want to be of benefit to society.. Why don’t you try make it possible for them to work in the way they should be allowed ?You will be a bigger man if you can deal with us truthfully and we shall give you the respect that you are denying us.
@ G.A. Your first sentence makes me laugh. You are so correct.
He used the wrong words.
AS I SAY BECAUSE U ALL SO NEGATIVE SEEING IN MY EYE, BUSY TO BLAME EVERY THING THAT TALK ABOUT, WHY ARE WE VOTING TO HAVE SOME BODY TO TAKE CARE OFF YOUR VILLAGE DID MR EDDISON MAKE THAT REPORT TO THE GOVERNMENT? BY ASKING ASSISTANT FOR HIS VILLAGE? THAT’S WHAT HE IS THERE FOR AND STOP WIPING THE P,M BEHIND.BEFORE GIVING THE POLICE HARD TIME ASK MR JAMES ARE YOU WALKING AROUND THE VILLAGE? TO THE POLICE STATION HOSPITAL THE SCHOOL, AND ALL OVER TO SEE IF THING WORKING RIGHT IN THE VILLAGE? THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE U FOR’
there is no reason why the phone should not be working. if for some reason there is a problem with it there should be a back-up plan/alternative. its a police station!!!!!! it is ridiculous to even come up with an excuse as to why the phone might not be working this is absurd!
Another example of how the people of this country are as fools.
incidents like this has been going on for too long. they need to come better than that. too many times when things happen you have to hear police could not be contacted, phone not working, all vehicles out etc. if is so things going then we probably don’t need police stations if it is always too late when they finally arrive when you finally reach them
@ Cokeee
We hope that they learn a lesson and that they will not allow this to recur. It has given the Police Force a bad name and with confidence in them lessened.
I may have missed a comment or two, but generally everyone has condemned the comments made by the Chef of Security. His comments were obviously inappropriate and unbecoming of a leader, particularly someone who has been charged with the responsibility of our national security.
The Chef lacks prudence and the public has lost confidence in his ability to continue in his current capacity. If the sentiments expressed on this board are a representation of the average Dominica, the average police officer, the average superintendent; let’s begin to pray for the peace of our beloved nation
does anybody knw the name of the released murderer does his name begin with f
like i said before pure nonsense.phone off the hook. police oficer in his underwear at police station…nonsense…a big joke
When Ireland or Joseph Costello’s family ask for answers you will tell them there is a “teething” problem with the police telephone system.
lolololoollOlolOLOLOLOlOlOllololololoLOLOLOL
and that is the TRUTH!!!
SO DOMINICA COME NAH. RIGHT NOW I AM CONFUSED. I DONOT KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE.
if something Major were to happen at the Airport?
…it’s not their problem when the phone system doesn’t work? Ah, of course, it’s only the problems of people who actually need to call the police.
As for them only now getting cell phones…wow.
so when we bust drug dealers and root up plantations all u vex and saying f**k us. now when all u life is in danger all u want to run back to us. leave us alone man.
While i am in no way defending Mr. Carrete and i do agree that he does put his foot in his mouth on most occassions; let’s look at this from a different angle.
I believe, and i am subject to correction, that what the gentleman intended to say is that when telephone problems occur:
they do not originate with the police and so it is unfortunaetly beyond their control.
but in carrette fashion, he chose to use the wrong words and made a fool of himself….
I totally agree..
ok well said, and i agree. but in your addition to your correction, dont u find it TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE that the police who we depend on for our security have this level of dysfunction in the 21st century. I MEAN COME ON PEOPLE THIS IS 2011 GOING TO 2012, WHAT AGAIN ALLU WANT US TO SWALLOW, HOW MUCH UTTER GARBAGE CAN SOMEONE STOMACH?????? UH????
You, whoever your are can not be serious with that spin. I accept we are all entitled to our opinions, so please say what you feel and dont make no excuse for your self with the “I’m not defending mr carrete” pre cursor.
The man is the highest law officer in the land and the way he talks is his being.
He is a legal thug, thus he speaks like one and he obviously holds the nation in contempt, with his pathetic ramblings.
I for one am embarrassed, that the man charged with protecting the nation cannot conduct himself in a beleiveable manor in front us,shocking.
all u dont depend on us, cuz when we do what we do all u saying police brutallity. you all call and say someone beating u, whne we respond and fatigue the person, all u aself saying alas and calling the heng next day on police brutality
and we have no control over the telephone system that was deployed within our department. it is on the part of the telecommunications provider to ensure that the system is always up to the time. the police has more problems to deal with than a telephone system. let the provider do their work
stop blaming us for the mishap of the provider. We dont get anything good from any of you. when you are in your beds sleeping in the early hours of the morning. we have to be out their patrolling the land and the sea under rain, ensuring that you’ll sorry asses are protected. we live our wives and our warm beds for all u sake, next thing we are still criticized and call bad names and are sometimes even threatened.
It’s his problem to deal with it even if he did not ultimately cause the phones not to work. This story itself has a solution–even if it is “impossible” for the land lines to be fixed soon (which is hard to believe), give the public the number of ONE of the cell phones and keep it at the duty desk at all times.
You are so true he doesnt think before he speak maybe he should start writing down what he wants to say and just read it if that is possible. M’got is a village that survives on it’s own the people whatever they can to make do regardless if the GOVT help or .The main AIRPORT is just on the out skirt of the village I remembereds in 2009 I could not fly our of D’ICA I had to go back home and come back the next day I went looking for a phone to call my family to let them know I will be coming back home none of the phones around there were not working I had to borrow a cell phone to call home, so it’s a long time since the phone system in that area is not working up to par and that is very bad. I will agree that some senior policmen should have cell# and if the number is given out by anyone of them to the public it should be taken away becauce it would be used for EMERGECY matters only but that is still not the answer to the problem.
All the Police Stations on the Island should have a better communication system and those are the basic things the GOVT should be involved in and to make sure equipments are in place, and since we are on the topic of proper phone systems what about the HOSPITAL in that same village if something should happen at the Airport God forbid what will be the out come I do believe that the hospital should be running in top shape because by the time we fly people all around they will die especially seeing the we dont have access to Helicopters in D’ica he have to be depending on outside help these are serious matters and they have to be adressed.
Mr. James and Mr. Baptist should get together and work together to lobby the GOVT to start showing some really concern for MARIGOT they are very good people and they deserve more , We all condemd what happended to all who suffered at the hands of evil men I just hope they are caught soon.
They really have to get serious, be serious and do something serious about this. A life has recently been lost; injuries and theft occurred. Hospital patients could die and those who have an emergency and call emergency do not get a response because the telephones are out of service. I reiterate that this should never happen at a Police Station or a Hospital. God help the nationals should they get sick as well.
ADMIN! I SAID WEEKES FOR COMMISIONER ADMIN… WEEKES
i’m a victim of abuse! My husband hit me and the time i decided to call the police no one responded.
You gave them cell phones and the numbers are not available to the general public? Am i hearing this right . Are they not government issued phones? I understand you do not give personal numbers but this is stretching the joke too far. Please sir find come other occupation . You are not commissioner material. You are doing the country a disservice
I worked in a foreign Police force, and every station has ham radio comunication. When there is comunication among any unit or any station, all other station or units will hear that traffic.Our stations need such system. If the phones dont function , the radios can b used for communication. Just my 2 cents commissioner.
Pure non sense
“We are not going to make those numbers available to the general public.” MR. CARRETTE IF THESE CELL PHONES ARE PRIVATE THEN I GET YOUR POINT BUT IF THEY ARE BEING PAID FOR WITH TAXPAYERS MONEY THEN THE NUMBERS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE, IN MY OPINION.
“That is not our problem really, when they (the telephones) do not work.” WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT SIR? UNLESS YOU GIVE ME A SENSIBLE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, I WILL CONTINUE TO BRAND YOU AS INCOMPETENT/UNFIT FOR THE TITLE YOU CURRENTLY HOLD.
I totally agree with you. We should have a facebook page dedicated to the many gaffes of the police commissioner. What do you expect from him? He was the one who said that a boat was intercepted on land.
what do u expect when CALLS to our leaders who are charged with GRAVE AND GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES, are met with comments such as
“everything is politics” or “allu doe tired complain?” or “we vote them in 18 to 3?”. If we settle for less dominicans we will get less than we settled for, and we will indeed have to take what we get. thank you for your time, and thank you dno for the chance to express my feeling on this issue.
the truth is never easy to hear, much less to accept, and the following posts reiterate exactly what i am saying in my post… like digicels slogan says
EXPECT MORE, GET MORE….LONG story SHORT
expect less and get less than u expected…
who wants to disagree is free to disagree
PUT IT IN YOUR PIPE AND SMOKE IT
careful mr commissioner
when ppl loose confidence in the police force, expect them to take the law into their own hands.
im just saying….don’t quote me plz!
Dangerous words, but very true. Those who can leave may do so when things get bad enough, and those who want change may revolt. Mind you, things aren’t as bad as they could be–but that certainly shouldn’t be a compliment to the police force.
AS I WAS SAYING: Whenever this commissioner exposes himself to the general public, he ridicules himself and makes some kind of preposterous statement…The members of the public want the disfunctional telephone lines at Police stations to be solved Sir.. It’s not enough to say its not your problem when the lines do not work..You should say firmly that the lines should be operational 24hours a day.And you should be uneasy unless the problem is addressed..BY THE WAY WHAT IS THE LATEST RE THE GON EMMANUEL FIREBOMBING? Is Sico/Seco back?
Boy them police there always on the dam phone talk to little woman is not no dam problem he just trying to make excuses wayyyyyy’
The police system is just plain efficient and unprofessional. One has to admit when they are wrong or when we are have failed. As the saying goes the problems of this world is us i.e that is me. Phone problems the police is responsible. So much more to say…..but..
u mean inefficient??
Thanks
I think so..
just as u are right, so to are u welcome
We need to have an emergency number / system like the 911 system. We don’t need to be memorizing a number to each police station. And finally there needs to be some rapid response teams (police, fire, ambulance) at strategic points on the island to respond to emergencies.
so damn true
and all state official..image bein sick n u have to look for hospital number in d directory!!smh
The arrogance of this man is beyond comprehension – at least to me. Instead of condemning the authorities responsible for this situation the Chief is stating that it is not his problem when they work.
MY LORD! Police lines should always be fuctional and any ‘teething’ problems should be eradicated or else the criminals begin “teething”.
Mr Carrette how about you do us a favour and resign sir. The general public i.e majority of Dominicans DO not endorse nor support you. Not only do you lack leadership skills, but your arrogrance, added to the trash which comes from your mouth, are causes for your dismissal.
The Government needs to develop a system where the emergency services be contacted from all phones – land lines and cells(with and without money) and they dispatch information to the necessary police or hospital workers. I don’t want to have to remember the police stations’ telephone numbers all across the country or grab a directory when I forget one.
As for you Mr. Security, you sir are something else. While I applaud you in trying to contact Police you are being payed to secure these people and you should of helped. I’m hoping you did or I will have to ask the Police to investigate you as a possible inside job. I wonder if you knew the # was not working before hand.
Explore all leads officers!
Why is it the norm in all part of dominican society to always hear excuses rather than solutions. Our leaders in every different field in dominica can always give an excuse why they cant do what they are being paid to do…
When will it end??????????
DAMMIT!! WHEN WILL IT END?
Mr. Carrette, how dare you say if the phones are out of order it’s not your problem???? It is your responsibility to see to it that all the phones at all the police stations are functioning at all times. Please do not repeat such nonesense because that is exactly what it sounds like. You have to have a better excuse than that.Even though I live outside of Dominica my heart will always belong there and I am so sorry to hear about the incident. As you are well aware bad publicity travels faster than a hurricane these days, and this is bad for Dominica.
BS… If you’re upgrading and your phones are giving problems shouldn’t your number be routed to Police Headquarters? When you call Marigot Police Station Headquarters should answer the call immediately and relay the information via cell phone to Marigot instantly. At most we should have a 2 minute delay. That’s just carelessness.. teething nonsense and so calls are not being received. WE NEED TO DO BETTER THAN THAT IN DOMINICA!!!!!!!!!! A couple years ago I called Mahuat Police Station… over the course of 2 hrs I never got an answer. Busy tone- not even call waiting!
Mr Carrette, I understand that you have a responsibility to inform the public of certain things, but this should never be one of them. If any other criminal wishes to commit any crime they might just use that opportunity since now they are aware that the phones in Marigot may not be functional.
On the other hand you, should not make any excuse for the lack of a functional phone at the station. you should ensure or someone directed by you should ensure that the telephone service, line or whatever was fixed before leaving the district since getting assistance as we all see now was a matter of life and death.
Mr Carette, i think it would be in your best interest and also in the best interest of the country if you would just humbly resign. The people have no confidence in you and in my humbble opinion i do not think you are the best person for the job.
It is time that positon be given based on ability and not on friendship or political affiliation. We are destroying the country.
wow
get up soon son
EXCUSES .. A POLICE STATION .. PHONE DOWN ON A SUNDAY ? A HOLIDAY WEEKEND ? .. I WANT TO KNOW WHO WOULD BE UP AT THAT TIME ON SUNDAY DOIN UPGRADE .. DE PHONE WAS GIVIN PROBLEMS ALL DURING DE WEEK BEFORE ..JUST SAY THAT ..MAKIN US BELIEVE IS JUS ONE DAY IT WAS DOWN
Only in Dominica you say? How sad and disappointing.
I DONT WANT TO SAY IT
BUT I HAVE TOO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE SHOULD RESIGNED FOR MAKEING THAT STATEMENT
SO WHY GIVE THEM CELL PHONES AND THE PUBLIC
CANT HAVE THE NUMBERS TO CALL IN CASES OF EMERGENCIES WHY DONT TALK TO CABLES OR LIME
WATEVER TO TEMPERRILLY USE THE STATION NUMBER TOWARDS THE CELL PHONE TILL THE REPAIRS ARE DONE.
what’s a “teething’problem? Well, i must not be Dominican if i can’t understand that one dere!
Whoa! smfh! I’m at a loss for words. Wow
What exactly does Carrette mean when he said it is not their problem when hte phone system does not work?
No wonder people have lost confidence in the police services.
that is a poor excuse. if the only police station for that community and other neighboring villages has a telephone line problem, shouldnt the villagers be informed and given another means of contact? Whether a cellphone line be made available?. Marigot police station is not only for Marigot. Better should be done.
NONSCENCE MR COMMISSIONER, PURE CRAP AND LIES!! IS NOT TODAY , NOR YESTERDAY POLICE TELEPHONES IN THE OUTSIDE DISTRICTS GIVEN PROBLEMS , SO I REALLY WANT TO KNOW WAT U TALKING ABOUT NOW!!!
all i can do sometimes is just smdh,why the cell phone numbers not be made available to the public.
Rubbish!!!!!!!
This is just hopelessly pathetic!! Too many excuses……..Mr Carrette, please do us a favour, stop making The Dominica Police Force and Dominicans look like the laughing stock. I have TWO words for this: UTTERLY EMBARRASSING!!
While I can understand upgrades are being done, don’t you think it is your job to advise the general public in advance that the stations are experiencing problems? My god, are you for real? This makes me sick. Only in Dominica, because if this was a more developed country the police department would be sued for negligence. That is just a poor excuse. I understand the force is occupied with other issues, but an emergency number? Come on … what is the purpose of listing a local contact number if it is known to be consistently dysfunctional? How many people have to die before the problem is resolved?
If problems are being experienced, advise the $%#@^ general public in advance to call headquarters in an emergency. When you are in the middle of a serious situation where urgent help is needed your first instinct is to contact your local station for assistance. I cannot begin to imagine how that security guard must have felt in that moment.
The Marigot police station number issue I know for a FACT has been happening for years … why? Because I tried it before asking for assistance and I couldn’t get through and to think this is still happening today in these modern times especially since Dominica is filled with dangerous deported criminals plus the home grown parasites. I am surprised that the excuse given is about upgrades. How long does it take to upgrade a system … YEARS? Shame on all of you, SHAME! Now that someone is dead and people are talking about the phone issue, is now you want to advise the public? How about all the other times people complain about the situation? Why didn’t you take the opportunity to make a public statement?
Don’t get me wrong I don’t think the police do a bad job all the time, god knows there are some that try to do a good job… but alas the phone system? Why didn’t the person responsible put pressure on the company responsible for the “upgrades” to get it done quickly because of the potential impact?Now look what happened Please please ….. just go away!
Please Mr. Carette, leave public relations to Claude Weekes…..you suck at it….always putting your foot in your mouth.
Ahhh Mr Carette, Is that the only and best excuse you can come up with? Telephone service in marigot has problems because they are being upgraded? Come on. Cell phones to inspectors, and the numbers will not be available to the public, i guess unless they give it out to who they want. We are in the modern world sir, and every dog and cat has a cell phone. Why can’t a switchboard number be made avialable to the public,,,say something like 911 in the US, so everytime one calls that number they will get an answer and their call will be directed to the station of the area they need? We can do better than that. We all need help from the Police now and again. Lets hope it’s not one of “our” family members who are in difficulty when we cannot get a hold of the police. Good luck.
Telephone ‘teething problems’? Sacway gas! De phone had teeth? In this day and age of cell-phone, call forwarding and generator, none of the above excuses are valid especially when it comes to law enforcement and policing!
Crime is evolving and the Dominica Police Force is still operating in the CAVE. Unaceptable! Police response and resources in an area should match the expanse of the area and the crime statistics, things have been dicey in the North East for sometime, the police should have tuned their machinery to what has been going on up there.
Weh papa, Dominicans (born and naturalised) protect yourselves eh from criminal elements, de police are clearly not ready to do it for you.
@ Irie
You are another one who makes me laugh. It certainly appears that De phone had teeth and was teething.
This is the most ignorant statement I have heard from you yet! Why not get a cell phone for each station & make that # available to the public since you know you are currently having problems with your regular phone system!
Of course it’s your problem when your phone system does not work! I can not believe someone in your position made that statement! DO you think before you speak?
i would recommend that in the interim a cell phone is left at the desk for the officer on call. this number should be made public.
Shameful, simply shameful
This is an out district with almost three thousand residents or more even worse the airport with so-called night landing just down the road and you didn’t think it necessary to step up you campaign to address the faulty phone system????!!! Ridiculous!!!! This is 2011 and it’s high time you all stop wasting tax payers money and stop being the politician that you are not qualified to be and start making use of the police men and women who are willing to work and not get involved in politics but do a good job of helping the people. I have spoken with some of these policemen and women and they are all singing the same song. UP top always neglect, always have some sorry excuse or just plain ignore the request of the officers for an upgrade in the service system…They have to use their personal vehicles to attend to calls from citizens and are not even compensated with a little gas while you sit up there and have a full tank you don’t even need….Maybe that extra one hundred dollars will help those guys who really are working????!
Excuses, excuses, excuses. When you decide to upgrade a system, you need a backup plan. It is called plan ‘B’. I am sure the telephone company could re-route all calls from that number to anywhere you requested. Those calls are important. Imagine how long it took to get Roseau and then relay the message. If the security guard had riden a donkey to Marigot he would get there faster. This is 2011 for God’s sake!! Re-route the calls to the police cell phones. OMG! Teething problems? Do you know how long the telephone was invented?
We need a 3-digit emergency hot line in Dominica. Something similar to 911 in the USA. What about 555 or 999, whatever!!
what about 666?
Taken already!!
There is no “teething” problem Mr. Carrette. I work in the court system for the last four years and i know for a fact that for the past four years when you call marigot police station you can never get through. Why do you all keep lying. Instead of lying just stay quiet. My God. Everybody lying in this country.
These are simply poor excuses. There should be no reason why a police station cannot be contacted. If you already know that the phone system at the station is not working…find a fix immediately! You provided cell phones…great! However, there is a feature in communication systems called CALL FORWARDING! Simply ask LIME to forward the station’s number to the mobile phones you provided in the interim. These excuses are not acceptable.
i wonder if that problem why the police cant be reach maybe they were sleeping as victim said when he was attack some time ago stop making excuses for your police carrette
The police department needs a training session on customer service. “that is not our problem when the phones don’t work”. I can’t believe he just said that. WOW!!!
If I am being attacked I must call Roseau and wait for Roseau to call the other police station before I can get help. WOW!!!!
That story just sent a chill up my spine. If the leadership of the department is so daft, no wonder few people have confidence in the police here.
“The public numbers are displayed and we expect the numbers to work. That is not our problem really, when they do not work.”
Of course it’s YOUR PROBLEM When they don’t work! I can not believe your ignorance or your arrogance! You are a disgrace!
That’s what happens in the USA when you call 911. You first call a dispatcher who then calls police/sheriff, ambulance and/or fire service. In many jurisdictions the firemen are trained paramedics who also handle the ambulance service; (The non-private ones). But these guys are highly trained professionals who handle their jobs with great haste. That, we need to emulate. Furthermore, they have several units on patrol, so the nearest one/ones respond after word is sent out by the dispatcher. Two calls should only take a few seconds as long as the address is clearly given.
The above comments were in response to those made @ Thinkaboutit. Sorry, “Excuse me!!!”
what exactly is the Commissioner saying?
This is ridiculous and unacceptable.
Teething problem? Is the commissioner saying that the police telephone system has just been implemented? boy we does take anything they give us wiii