Meeting the Challenges of Police Governance in Trinidad and Tobago

In response to a crisis of heightened crime and lowered public confidence, Trinidad and Tobago has embarked upon a package of reforms intended to transform the governance, and ultimately the performance, of its Police Service. Trinidad and Tobago's governance problems issue from its colonial heritage and conflicts between cultural groups in the society. The old system of governance created the appearance of governance, but dysfunctional results. Adapted from the model of the Independent Commission on Policing for Northern Ireland, Trinidad and Tobago's reformed system consolidates more administrative authority in the office of police commissioner, enhances the Government's capacity to provide policy direction, while creating independent watchdog entities to hold the Police Service accountable. These arrangements afford the opportunity to strengthen the legitimacy of all governing entities, greater internal and external control, transparency and effective technical management. But success ultimately requires major changes in the habits of all governing entities, changes that only committed leadership in Government, the police and party politics can ensure.