What will it take to restore police confidence?

While the no homicides in three months statistic is indeed a welcome change, the Police Welfare Association’s president is concerned about what he referred to as “the unease within the police force.”

Cameron Laure told the media, in the aftermath of the prime minister’s speech on the IMPACS report, that police officers appeared “demoralized.” On Tuesday the association’s annual general meeting had to be postponed due to the poor attendance—a reflection of how members are coping with “the dark clouds” emanating from what the prime minister revealed, said Laure.

“Some officers are now reluctant to speak out,” the association’s president said, “and I believe that this is all connected to the pronouncements that were made.”

But the dark clouds are not without a silver lining, however thin. Laure is optimistic that the officers will rise to whatever challenges confront them.

“There is no doubt in my mind that when the time comes for officers to perform their duties and to engage the public, they will do so to the best of their ability,” he said in a short interview.

Meanwhile Police Commissioner Vernon Francois who has been on vacation for over a month, is expected back on duty later this month, even as rumours circulate about pending changes to the head on the RSLPF.