The internal charge that was brought against Brenton Smith and Kenroy Martin provides the perfect opportunity to open a discussion, on a topic and a practice that have been kept under wraps for far too long. This episode has now brought into the spot light, the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and its internal Justice system that was set up to deal with disciplinary matters within the organization.
The police tribunal is a very controversial court of dispensing internal justice, within the force. This trial forum of justice is tainted with personality toxicity. In that Justice is not dispensed base on the preponderance of evidence presented or the proper application of the law; but it is based on personalities; such as, who the defendant (s) are, who the defendants is associated with, who brought the charges, and who brought the charges against the defendants etc.
Let us used PC Roland Soleyn and his brother as examples. Any of these brothers could speak to any senior officer, with any degree of insolence or even obscenity and they will never face a charge; this was because they were closely associated with Ex-commissioner of Police Osborn Quow, who (even as a superintendent was a police powerhouse) was responsible for approving the charges.
Today the same personality toxcin still exist. These days, it is who are affiliated to the Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves. Ralph Gonsalves the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has successful destroyed every institution in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, government and none-government institution; including the Police Force. He was instrumental in destroying the moral, the investigative and other standard and the discipline of the SVG Police Force. Ralph Gonsalves’ "tools" can do no wrong and bear no consequences not matter what they did or are accuse of doing.
On the other hand, there are people like Police Constable (PC) 567 Maxwell Springer, whose best, even though his best was superior; it was never good enough. PC 567 Springer was made to suffer tremendous mental and emotional hardship every day of his policing career, until his untimely death. Initially, PC Springer was always, properly turned out and on time for duty; however, this all changed when he (PC 567 Maxwell Springer) realized that even if he offered perfection, it would not be good enough, as long as it came from him.
On the other hand, there are people like Police Constable (PC) 567 Maxwell Springer, whose best, even though his best was superior; it was never good enough. PC 567 Springer was made to suffer tremendous mental and emotional hardship every day of his policing career, until his untimely death. Initially, PC Springer was always, properly turned out and on time for duty; however, this all changed when he (PC 567 Maxwell Springer) realized that even if he offered perfection, it would not be good enough, as long as it came from him.
The senior officer’s unfair and unjust treatment of Maxwell led that young man; whose only desire was to serve his country, in the capacity of a police officer; to find relief from the dreadful treatment he received daily, in the battle; subsequently to which, he became an alcoholic. PC Springer’s drinking was to numb him from the ill and unjust treatment he received at the hand of his senior; as well as, from the insensitivity of his peers to his dilemma.
But what was PC 567 Maxwell Springer’s crime, who did Springer offended. Well from my understanding the police authority, from Mr. Quow, Big Right, David Charles etc., were all intimidated by PC Maxwell Springer high level of intelligence. PC Maxwell Springer's intelligence capacity surpassed the intelligent level of the combined intelligence level of the hierarchy of the police force when he entered the force. Because of PC 567 Springer’s youthful naivety, he was unable to positively deal with the difficulty he had to confront daily in the institution he tried to serve.
Police Constable 567 Springer may have attended more Orderly Room (Internal police hearings) hearing, in the capacity of a defendant, in the history of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force; and for the most part, he (PC Maxwell Springer) was always found guilty of the offence he was charged with and the logic of the charges when compare to the actions from which the charges were derived; as well as, the evidence of the defendant and or the witnesses were not important to the hearing or the hearing officer. A favorite quote that came from the hearing officers were: "Do you expect me to take your words over the words of the None Commission Officer (NCO) or the Commission Officer (CO)."
In short, the police force internal tribunal is not a forum that is concerned with justice, the tribunals of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, unlike similar forum of the sought that is set up to dispense justice by way of a review of evidence and the proper application of the law to ensure that justice is serves. The presiding officer and the prosecutor of the police hearing are normally on the same side, and they are instruction to work in harmony to bring back a certain verdict, one base on some biased. The Verdicts are rarely ever base on the proper review and evaluation of the evidence.
But what was PC 567 Maxwell Springer’s crime, who did Springer offended. Well from my understanding the police authority, from Mr. Quow, Big Right, David Charles etc., were all intimidated by PC Maxwell Springer high level of intelligence. PC Maxwell Springer's intelligence capacity surpassed the intelligent level of the combined intelligence level of the hierarchy of the police force when he entered the force. Because of PC 567 Springer’s youthful naivety, he was unable to positively deal with the difficulty he had to confront daily in the institution he tried to serve.
Police Constable 567 Springer may have attended more Orderly Room (Internal police hearings) hearing, in the capacity of a defendant, in the history of the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force; and for the most part, he (PC Maxwell Springer) was always found guilty of the offence he was charged with and the logic of the charges when compare to the actions from which the charges were derived; as well as, the evidence of the defendant and or the witnesses were not important to the hearing or the hearing officer. A favorite quote that came from the hearing officers were: "Do you expect me to take your words over the words of the None Commission Officer (NCO) or the Commission Officer (CO)."
In short, the police force internal tribunal is not a forum that is concerned with justice, the tribunals of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, unlike similar forum of the sought that is set up to dispense justice by way of a review of evidence and the proper application of the law to ensure that justice is serves. The presiding officer and the prosecutor of the police hearing are normally on the same side, and they are instruction to work in harmony to bring back a certain verdict, one base on some biased. The Verdicts are rarely ever base on the proper review and evaluation of the evidence.
If the presiding officer, fail to follow the instruction of his superior; be it the commissioner of Police or the Prime Minister, then that presiding officer hope of further hierarchical advancement in the forces is jeopardize. The presiding officer may have some feeling of obligation and it may be a case where the presiding officer is repaying some authority figure for some favor done such as receiving a promotion the did not deserved etc.
So it is no surprise to me, when, the Police Welfare lawyer: Israel Bruce, written request for information was denied. This is in keeping with the history of the police orderly room, where injustice is the order of the day, and guilt is not base on evidence, but on one's personal association. It will be important that the police orderly room (haring tribunal) is not concerned about justice, but gaining a conviction of anyone with the wrong associates at any cost, especially of those who dear to think for themselves and act with any level of independence, while keeping within the frame work of the law.
So when Assistant Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph, defended the Commissioner of Police's reluctance to disclose to the defense's lawyer, pertinent information that will in turn, give those who are representing the defendants in this case, the tools to properly prepare for their case; it is a sign that the order was given and the innocence and or guilt of the defendants have already been decided.
In normal tribunals, the hearing or the presiding officer do not have access to the case that will be presented by the defense before hand, but he or she will get the facts and other evidence when it is presented in the forum from all side. This is an indication of some resemblance of Justice and will give the presiding officer, the ability to unbias review the evidence without in a view to dispense Justice.
So it is no surprise to me, when, the Police Welfare lawyer: Israel Bruce, written request for information was denied. This is in keeping with the history of the police orderly room, where injustice is the order of the day, and guilt is not base on evidence, but on one's personal association. It will be important that the police orderly room (haring tribunal) is not concerned about justice, but gaining a conviction of anyone with the wrong associates at any cost, especially of those who dear to think for themselves and act with any level of independence, while keeping within the frame work of the law.
So when Assistant Commissioner of Police Frankie Joseph, defended the Commissioner of Police's reluctance to disclose to the defense's lawyer, pertinent information that will in turn, give those who are representing the defendants in this case, the tools to properly prepare for their case; it is a sign that the order was given and the innocence and or guilt of the defendants have already been decided.
In normal tribunals, the hearing or the presiding officer do not have access to the case that will be presented by the defense before hand, but he or she will get the facts and other evidence when it is presented in the forum from all side. This is an indication of some resemblance of Justice and will give the presiding officer, the ability to unbias review the evidence without in a view to dispense Justice.
However this is not the case with A St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force organized tribunal. It is just as well, the police forgo the time and expense of the orderly room, and just pronounce Brenton Smith and Kenroy Martin guilty. Because that is what they have been ordered to do. Enough of the charade.
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