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Trinidad Criminals Using The Media

Trinidad Criminals Using The Media

Name: Guen

Comments: Part of the reason why crime exploded in our nation is because criminals have the sympathetic ear of the media. Crime has become entertainment and a tool to boost ratings, so criminals are treated as victims when they feel the heavy hand of the law. They are given air time, microphones, cameras and front page ststus in our daily news while our only defenders against them (THE POLICE) are referred to as the wrong doers. I thank god that the POILCE do not let all the bad press that they get keep them from doing their duty on a daily basis throughout Trinidad & Tobago. Society is misled into having a false negative view of the POLICE and this is sadly reflected in some of the decisions made by jurors in criminal cases. Most people love to hate POLICE and demonstrates this at every opportunity. I pray that none of us has to face any of these "good boys" who are constantly being tormented by these POLICE on a lonely street at night any time soon.

Media Using Criminals Trinidad

I always say we have very good police officers in Trinidad, there are a few delinquent just like in any other profession. They put up with a lot of stuff, terrible salaries, no proper facilities, etc. Having said that, the few that doesn't do the job properly ruins the reputation of the rest. Just the other day I saw a video of a very short police officer pulling out his gun in the oval and pointing it towards the people because they were getting upset...what exactly was he planning to do with the gun? It's scary really.

Now about criminals giving airtime. I'm not sure exactly what you're referring to, maybe you can give us more details? Isn't someone innocent until proven guilty in a court of law?

Trinidad Criminals Using The Media Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad

Name: Spence

Comments: What about commonsense? what about balance in reporting? When all these spurious allegations made against POLICE, are the POLICE not innocent until proven guilty? Did you ever ask yourself why POLICE "visit" some homes or districts so frequently? Commonsense should tell us that that if fires constantly erupt whenever an individual is present, he is probably an arsonist. Or if a contagious disease spreads wherever a particular person visits, he is probably the carrier. My view is that if different POLICE OFFICERS on different enquirers repeatedly find it necessary to "visit" particular homes or districts, then something unlawful is going on in such homes or districts. We don't need a fire fighter to tell us who is responsible for the fires or a doctor to tell us who is spreading the disease that I mentioned in the fictitious scenarios earlier. Likewise you don't need a judge to tell you that a person is a criminal.

Balanced reporting should be the main pillar of the media. How often does a reporter feature a crime victim or POLICE INVESTIGATORS point of view in a prominent position of his / her report? After screaming headlines "POLICE BRUTALITY" have you ever seen a POLICE response being sought by a reporter? Please be honest to yourself when answering these questions.

We as a nation better wise up and realize as faulty as they sometimes are, the POLICE are our only defense against a growing criminal population. Undue criticism of POLICE emboldens criminals increasing the risk that any one of us may become a victim.

Media Using Criminals Trinidad

I have no problems with police officers visiting certain areas regularly and understand the need for it as well. I will also like to see more Police Officer participation here giving us their views on these cases (anonymously of course) and more especially tips to help us prevent crimes. We have many threads here about crime prevention and it will be nice if there can be participation there also.

As far as the media goes I think the police needs a good PR person. I do not think it should just be left up to the police commissioner and his assistants to make a statement now and again but a person who regular is a voice for the police as to what they are doing and is trained in public relations and with handling the media. Most of the voices we see / hear is those demanding wage increases, and I understand that aspect too because the police are underpaid and under-equipped, but I'm looking at someone that updates us on other issues as well.

Media Using Criminals Trinidad

Spence, I hear you loud and clear but let's be realistic here for a second. The newspapers and the media in general are here to make money, it's all about making dollars. I think is unfair to categorize all police officers in the same way however, I have seen how some act and it's truly sad and disgusting. Just because a person has a badge and a gun doesn't mean you have to treat people like crap. They're supposed to protect and SERVE. Key word "SERVE", not treat people like if they're in charge or whatever they say go.

Trinidad Criminals Using The Media

Name: Spence

Comments: This is exactly what I mean, you have confirmed my comments when you referred to the few POLICE OFFICERS that behave badly while no mention is made of the great majority that function efficiently. The picture painted daily in the media shows the POLICE as mainly corrupt, idiotic and abusive. How then are the prisons over crowded and there are massive backlogs at all courts. Great POLICE work is responsible for this. When reporting on a POLICE OFFICER being charged for an offence, it should be highlighted that it is members of the same POLICE SERVICE that reported the offence, investigated the report and laid the charges. Later members of that same service testify in court to secure convictions against POLICE OFFICERS that run afoul of the law. They are the only self purging branch of the government service that I know of. I hasten to repeat, that for the good of us all, the media needs to balance their reporting to deliver a well rounded picture of POLICE incidents. When criminals could rely on the media to create public (including potential jurors)mistrust of the POLICE, criminals become emboldened and walk away from courts free men to continue their chosen career. Young persons so inclined shall also see crime as a lucrative career with low risk of incarceration. This certainly does widen the pool of problems for society in general and the POLICE specifically. I pray that we soon all wake up to this truth.

Trinidad Criminals Using Media

Hi Spence why should the media highlight police officers doing what they're supposed to be doing? Is it that as society we don't seem to believe they do their jobs or we don't trust them enough? For me, it shouldn't be highlighted just like people don't get praise for performing how they're supposed to perform. Incentives? Yes, within the force but not the media.

However, I think is unfair to blame them for the present crime situation in the country. Our people have no respect for laws and they don't care about the country, they talk about being Trini to d bone but is all love in words, not action. It is also unfair to blame police officers for the mess that is in court these days.

Also, we need more police officers. My sister thought in applying but she's over 35. In other countries even though they may have an age requirement, depending on your location you can become a police officer even in your 50's!

Going back to the media I think they're just doing what they're meant to do, report and if that involves police officers, then that's how it is. I'm not sure really what is failing (besides our people) but the amount of arrests compared to the amount of crimes committed is low then something is seriously failing.

I would also hope the police force can actually turn the negative highlight of the Media to improve in whatever aspect they need.

Trinidad Criminals Using Media Trinidad & Tobago / Caribbean

Spence ain't talking about Trini police right? Man let me tell you the media highlights what the police doesn't want us to see.