"Official" POLICE & Police Commisioner Related Matters thread ...

[Redman]

The orders cannot be legally enforced . There is no SOE . They ask and plead , check the choice of words. They can use moral suasion but they cannot charge anybody for not complying . Also telling people to go back home is not enforceable .

So we then end up with people even more willing ignoring the order.

Which is a real issue if we believe that this virus is still a threat.

Politics at its worst.

[Rovin]

ahnedda 1 ...

https://www.facebook.com/sterling.patri ... IyMTE0NzY/

[rspann]

The orders cannot be legally enforced . There is no SOE . They ask and plead , check the choice of words. They can use moral suasion but they cannot charge anybody for not complying . Also telling people to go back home is not enforceable .

So we then end up with people even more willing ignoring the order.

Which is a real issue if we believe that this virus is still a threat.

Politics at its worst.

There are people who are harden and there are some who feels COVID is not for them
There is the recalcitrant minority ( rowleys own words which is also a dog whistle ) who will go against the grain. A law or rule could be put in place to make it legal , because it amounts to the same thing the PP did with their SOE . GG boasts about how many stops they had during the roadblocks . How many people were arrested.

[rspann]

There were thousands of cars out and about on Monday , most were not essentials , so something is needed to be done . Man up and do it and stop the threats .

[Rovin]

[Redman]

The orders cannot be legally enforced . There is no SOE . They ask and plead , check the choice of words. They can use moral suasion but they cannot charge anybody for not complying . Also telling people to go back home is not enforceable .

So we then end up with people even more willing ignoring the order.

Which is a real issue if we believe that this virus is still a threat.

Politics at its worst.

There are people who are harden and there are some who feels COVID is not for them
There is the recalcitrant minority ( rowleys own words which is also a dog whistle ) who will go against the grain. A law or rule could be put in place to make it legal , because it amounts to the same thing the PP did with their SOE . GG boasts about how many stops they had during the roadblocks . How many people were arrested.

this is just about the POLITICS of calling a SOE.
Not the need for an SOE
and again-the actual results...what IS-not what could should be....are not that bad.

So connecting this case, the Bajan 33,KPB woefully poor statements...one can easily see what the nexus point is.

[rspann]

Like you fraid to say that all the talk is political ?

The results are quite good actually . Most people seem assured that it's fairly well contained and safe ,hence the apparent disregard for the call to stay at home .

One thing I'm sure of is that if Growlers said he was going to open back up . Tanty would have said he was reckless and endangering the population .

[The_Honourable]

‘Stay at home’ challenged

Social activist Ravi Balgobin-Maharaj is challenging the police’s authority to make people stay at home. Balgobin-Maharaj’s attorneys have sent a pre-action protocol letter to the Solicitor General signalling his intent to file a constitutional claim against the State.

He is represented by attorneys Anand Ramlogan, SC, Renuka Rambhajan, and Douglas Bayley. Balgobin-Maharaj’s threat of legal action comes after he said police stopped him three times and ordered him to return home.

The first time, on April 7, he said he was leaving his rented apartment in Palmiste to drop lunch for a friend. The second time he was stopped at a roadblock in Chaguanas while going to visit his girlfriend. Balgobin-Maharaj was told that was not an essential activity and sent back home. The third time, he said he was going for gas and to the ATM.

He claims his driver’s permit carries his home address in Curepe, but each time he was sent back to his apartment in Palmiste. In the letter, Bayley said Balgobin-Maharaj was concerned that the police, without proper legal mechanisms, are carrying out actions which go against the freedom-of-movement provisions of the Constitution, and above the powers given to them under the Police Service Act.

The letter accuses police of overstepping their lawful function by questioning people and having them give proof they are legitimately outside. Bayley referenced newspaper reports on roadblocks over the last few days and statements by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith and other police officers on enforcing government’s stay-at-home orders.

The letter said it was clear the police were under the misconception that they had the power to demand that citizens explain why they are outside and that they could determine whether an explanation is acceptable or not. Bayley said police cannot enforce government policies and guidelines, but the law, and can use moral suasion but cannot exercise authority to arrest someone unless the alleged offending conduct fell within the remit of statutorily defined offences.

He also pointed out there were no state of emergency or curfew restrictions or laws that prevented anyone from leaving their homes or allowed them to be questioned for being outside. The letter added that the closure of non-essential businesses did not equate to law and accused police of trying to enforce a guideline that had no legal basis or force.

“People’s fundamental rights cannot be suspended in times of national crisis,” the letter said. The State has asked to be given until Wednesday to respond to the letter. In a statement on Tuesday, Griffith knocked those who were against the roadblocks, saying the police were not causing a problem but using a tool to save lives.

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/22/stay-a ... hallenged/

[Dizzy28]

Visiting Girl Friend??

Yea right

[Ben_spanna]

So All fast food places and restaurants were forced to close their doors, so how come some Place in Ellerslie plaza is still open and had cars all,over the place today ?
They have some sort of special permit To be open?

[sMASH]

So All fast food places and restaurants were forced to close their doors, so how come some Place in Ellerslie plaza is still open and had cars all,over the place today ?
They have some sort of special permit To be open?

catering for essential, or open to regular customers?

[rspann]

If it's Aioli Italian restaurant ,they also have a market downstairs where they sell Italian gourmet products and groceries.

[pugboy]

yeah they working as a grocery with frozen stuff and of course prepared food
almost every other restaurant pushing their products at starlite and other pseudo drugstore or bakery

[redmanjp]

yeah they working as a grocery with frozen stuff and of course prepared food
almost every other restaurant pushing their products at starlite and other pseudo drugstore or bakery

they supposed to have a grocer's or pharmacy license. not sure what bakeries have.

[redmanjp]

anyone know what time the roadblocks are? I'm an essential worker who doesn't want to go through that again- Monday I end up in not 1 but 2 roadblock- take me 2 and a half hours to reach POS from Arima.

[agent007]

"Professor Deosaran cannot tell the difference between a baton and a bullet." - Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith in response to a question asked by CNC3 news anchor Kamal Georges tonight.

Griffith says these Attorneys and Criminologists are arm chair experts LOL.

Expect more road blocks guys....all the best

[Redman]

anyone know what time the roadblocks are? I'm an essential worker who doesn't want to go through that again- Monday I end up in not 1 but 2 roadblock- take me 2 and a half hours to reach POS from Arima.

Same for me but from Sando.

[pugboy]

Yeah he ain’t backing down given the power he has, but tbh it better this way than they pass laws to require permission or curfew.

Better to just not be on roads at peak times

"Professor Deosaran cannot tell the difference between a baton and a bullet." - Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith in response to a question asked by CNC3 news anchor Kamal Georges tonight.

Griffith says these Attorneys and Criminologists are arm chair experts LOL.

Expect more road blocks guys....all the best

[bluefete]

'You have a constitutional right to be stupid." - GG

[Ryan197912]

You know what the sad part of this is...when Ravi Balgobin wins his case...and rest assured he will since we have a constitutional right to freedom of movement..assembly..it's not GG to foot the bill..but the state ie. all tax paying citizens.

[shake d livin wake d dead]

All them big time exercises by ttps and the murder toll already higher than last year for the same period..all that bs about reduction in major crime

Carry on...

[rspann]

They already say he has no case because his rights were not infringed upon. I wonder what proof he think he has to show he had to go back ? Recordings ? Did he turn around when instructed to do so ? Did the officer do anything to ensure that he complied ? Like follow him to make sure he went home because they surely didn't leave the roadblock to make sure everyone went home.

[eliteauto]

next thing he go to court and they ask him to bring his girlfriend as a witness

[zoom rader]

anyone know what time the roadblocks are? I'm an essential worker who doesn't want to go through that again- Monday I end up in not 1 but 2 roadblock- take me 2 and a half hours to reach POS from Arima.

In times like these, a motor bike is needed

[VexXx Dogg]

next thing he go to court and they ask him to bring his girlfriend as a witness

perjury or nah

[sMASH]

allyuh forget young did say, that the ttdf got instructions to deal with citizens that was out exercising, and gg had to say he didnt have laws to arrest any one from jogging.
now young jump out and say the traffic exercise are in keeping with the regular police exercises with no additional instruction or powers. what was a backpedal in the public space..

i find it insulting being governed by persons so ignorant of the laws, and how they work.

[matr1x]

Gary knows about the law as wendy knew about making doubles

[Duane 3NE 2NR]

Griffith on people's right to movement: Police can't police stupidity

COMMISSIONER of Police Gary Griffith says "police can't police stupidity" as he responded to people touting their constitutional right to freedom of movement in the face of stay-at-home advisories to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

Griffith, speaking on the TTPS' Facebook page on Friday, said “The very few who insist that it is their right to be irresponsible by going where they please, are admitting that had it been a SOE (state of emergency), they would have no issue of adhering to what is directed and remain indoors.

"This is equivalent to a spoilt, untrained child that needs to be shouted at and ordered not to do the wrong thing, upon which he would comply. But he would want to do the wrong thing if he has his way, if there were no rules to direct him. The police can’t police stupidity."

He said while some people believe they have a constitutional right to do wrong, he as police commissioner, has a constitutional right to also protect some people from themselves and their own misguided actions, whilst doing it within the law.

He said an example of poor leadership is people demanding, guiding, representing, and influencing citizens, via insisting that it is their right to do wrong.

What some see as a "problem," Griffith said, "I see as something that is a powerful tool to save lives. The TTPS is not causing the problem. We want to reduce the problem? Then those who are being irresponsible and immature by not adhering to a basic policy, should simply do what is required and stay at home."

Alluding to public anger over police roadblocks, the top cop said if only those employed in essential services, or are going to acquire goods and services, are out and about, then there would be no "traffic problems."

Earlier in the week, activist Ravi Balgobin fired off a pre-action protocol letter to the Attorney General stating his intent to challenge police officers ordering drivers to turn their cars around and head back home during these roadblocks. This led to lawyers stating that in the absence of an SoE, police have no authority to order any back to their homes and can only use moral suasion to try and get people to obey stay-at-home advisories.

"This is about people being selfish. They are insisting that they have constitutional rights to go where and when they please. To those, I say 'you are correct'. It is your constitutional right to be selfish and irresponsible. It is your constitutional right to travel wherever you want that can lead to your death.

"It is your constitutional right to use your car to go elsewhere when it is not essential that can cause the death of others. It is your constitutional right to be a transporter of the virus by getting it where you go, then give it to your loved ones when you return home." Griffith said he would ensure that the TTPS does not infringe on those who demand to have constitutional rights to harm themselves or others.

"But I would not give you the green light to go about doing it. If what I do provides a deterrent to save lives, I would so do. It is not my responsibility to make popular decisions. It is my responsibility to make decisions to preserve lives whilst not affecting constitutional rights. What some see as a problem, I see as a solution."

https://newsday.co.tt/2020/04/24/griffi ... stupidity/

[rebound]

Amen!

anyone know what time the roadblocks are? I'm an essential worker who doesn't want to go through that again- Monday I end up in not 1 but 2 roadblock- take me 2 and a half hours to reach POS from Arima.

In times like these, a motor bike is needed

[elec2020]

Thr police are meant to enfore existing laws... not create and carry out imaginary laws... i can well see the the government and police getting good couple lawsuits after this period... not only them... many countries in the world also grappling with thus overextension of policing due to covid... all in all the TTPS eed to come off their high horse ... only in a SOE can the government and police strip me of most of my human rights...