Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, has given the commissioner of police 60 days to change course in his crime-fighting strategy or consider stepping aside.
The opposition leader, says Major General Antony Anderson, continued focus on the use of states of public emergency as a crime-fighting tool is unacceptable.
Mr. Golding made the call during a virtual press briefing this morning as the country continues to experience a rise in murders.
Within the first few weeks of 2022, the country has already seen a near 19 per cent increase in murders following on a 10 per cent rise for 2021.
Mr. Golding says the statistics show the government’s management of national security has not been up to par.
He’s also calling for the current National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang to be removed from the portfolio despite the Prime Minister stating he retains his confidence.
Mr. Golding says Dr. Chang’s performance in the position has been abysmal.
Meanwhile, Mr. Golding says the government must broaden its use of Zones of Special Operations instead of further uses of the States of Public Emergency.
There’re currently seven Zones of Special Operations across the country, geared at bringing down crime in key communities and building up long term security through targeted and sustained social interventions.
Mr. Golding says he’s obtained a further legal opinion that despite changes to the legislation the use of SOES to fight crime remains unconstitutional.
He says this informed the opposition’s decision not to support the extension which was requested in November of last year.
The opposition leader says the excuse of lacking resources for further ZOSOs is not a valid one.
Mark Golding, Leader of the Opposition. He was speaking at a virtual press briefing this morning.
