Around the Commonwealth

 Nigeria

Government rejects claims of widespread torture perpetrated by police officials

The government of Nigeria has rejected charges by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) group that torture by police officials is widespread and goes unpunished countering that reform, though underway, is difficult given Nigeria's history of military dictatorship.

Nigerian Information Minister, Frank Nweke, rejected the HRW report "Rest in Pieces" which said police torture of detainees is widespread, often committed with the knowledge or complicity of senior police officials and commonly results in the death of the detainee.

"The government can say without fear of contradiction that torture is not routinely practiced in Nigeria," Nweke told reporters in Abuja.

 Malawi

Southern Africa's first woman police chief removed from post

The Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika appointed an acting police chief one day after the 193 member Parliament rejected his favoured nominee for the post. An official statement named deputy Inspector General of Police Often Thyolani as the head of police, specifying that Mary Nangwale, the former chief, "will proceed on leave". Ms. Nangwale, southern Africa's first woman police chief, was in her position for seven months.

In an open roll-call vote, a narrow majority of lawmakers voted against her nomination. The move was seen as a symbolic opposition show of force rather than an indictment of Nangwale's capabilities.

 Maldives

Police Operation to continue in Male

The Police Operation which started on 4 August 2005 in a bid to oversee the public security of Male' will be continued for a longer duration, reported the Maldives Police Service. According to Chief Inspector Ibrahim Khaleel, since the Police Operation first begun, crime rate has reduced considerably.

"At first, we decided to conduct this Operation for the duration of a week. But we realised it would be better to continue it for a longer length of time instead of halting it so abruptly. When it will be concluded is yet unknown. Individuals who perpetrate various criminal acts are being caught in this Operation," said Khaleel.

The biggest problem noted during the three weeks old Operation is violations of traffic regulations. Other offences include theft, street fighting and drug use. The Police Special Operation begun following an increase in the incidences of fights in Male'. However, the police have not disclosed the exact figures involved.

 Antigua and Barbuda

Law Enforcement officials to "wage war" against crime, says Prime Minister

Speaking in a long awaited national address on 2 September 2005, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer, called on law enforcement officials to "wage war" against crime and said his government will do all within its power to assist the police in this war.

"I expect an immediate and unequivocal declaration of war against crime from the leadership of the police force. I expect that the police, while respecting the rights of every individual, will take a hard line with every lawbreaker. Should lawbreakers be blue collar criminals, white collar criminals, or traffic offenders, the prevailing climate demands that the police attack all lawlessness with full force," said Spencer.

"I expect an immediate and unequivocal declaration of war against crime from the leadership of the police force. I expect that the police, while respecting the rights of every individual, will take a hard line with every lawbreaker. Should lawbreakers be blue collar criminals, white collar criminals, or traffic offenders, the prevailing climate demands that the police attack all lawlessness with full force," said Spencer.

• More police on the streets.
• A dedicated Intelligence Unit that will maintain surveillance on known and likely lawbreakers.
• Increased mobile police patrols and interventions on the nation's roads.
• Rapid responses to 911 calls and other reports of crimes.
• Targeted and random road blocks and personal searches, across the country; around the clock and across the calendar. Surprise police sweeps at locations that criminals are known to frequent.
• Arrest of all persons found to be carrying concealed weapons.
• A fully functioning Internal Investigations Unit dedicated to swift investigation of complaints of misconduct against police officers; with swift suspension of rogue cops where they exist.
• Television and Newspaper publication of photographs of criminals and suspects wanted by the police.
• Partnering with the population in strategies for reducing the opportunity for crimes. Partnering with the population in community policing programmes.

Botswana

The Botswana Police Services face cash crunch

The Botswana Police Services (BPS) may find itself knocking on the doors of the Minister of Finance and Development before the end of the 2005/6 financial year due to shortage of funds. This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police, Edwin Batshu, in an interview with the national daily 'The Gazette'. Batshu said they used a lot of money that was not budgeted for in the SADC Summit (Southern African Development Community), held in Gaborone. He said police officers were pulled from outside Gaborone as far as Molepolole and they claimed subsistence allowance; vehicles were also fueled every day and some came from outside Gaborone; and all this was footed from the Police's budget.

 India

Prime Minister addresses Superintendents of Police at a national level

Addressing the first ever national conference of Superintendents of Police (SPs) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called for a more democratic and interactive police service. Some of the key points that the PM highlighted in his speech included:

• Police personnel belonging to the category of constables account for the majority of the police strength i.e. 80%. There is a need to bring about reforms within the constabulary and pay attention to their needs and grievances for better policing.
• The Rule of Law is the bedrock of a modern economy. As the instrument for maintaining the rule of law, an efficient, effective and an accountable police administration is one of the most important institutions of the modern state. As the managers of police forces at the grassroots, policy makers have to ensure that this instrument is effective, efficient, caring, just as well as responsive.
• A humane and efficient police force can infact be more effective in discharging its responsibilities than an aggressive and corrupt one. The setting up of an independent oversight mechanism to handle complaints against police misconduct.
• Reference was also made to the frequent transfers of police officials in an arbitrary manner. The PM acknowledged that this phenomena has a demoralising effect on the administration and the government will strive to correct this irregularity.
• The PM reiterated that police personnel played a very important role in the economic resurgence of the country by ensuring the rule of law and order.
• The PM also appealed to police personnel not to succumb to unwarranted interference in their professional work.
• The PM also considered establishing an independent police performance board that enables the government to monitor and assess police performance in an objective manner.

Trinidad and Tobago

Wife sues State for 'murder' in custody

The wife of mechanic Ignatius Owen, who died while in police custody after he was arrested for failing to pay child support, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the State, whom she blames for his death.

Liz Marlene Sheppard wants the State to repay the $4,000 she spent to bury her husband and the $4,500 a month Owen made as a mechanic fitter. Owen, 48, was found dead in a cell at the Golden Grove Prison, Arouca September last year. Owen's death certificate listed several reasons for his death, including the use of tranquilisers in prison, aspiration to the stomach, and multiple blunt trauma. At a press conference Junior Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds and Prisons Commissioner Carl McHoney, said that while the death was unnatural, the cause had not been determined. No one was ever charged in connection with Owen's death.

Pakistan

Three Judges killed in a hostage rescue bid

Three kidnapped judges and five prisoners were killed in Pakistan when police raided a jail to free seven judges taken hostage by the prisoners. The judges had been taken hostage by armed prisoners while visiting the maximum security Sialkot penitentiary, 100km northeast of Lahore, the capital of eastern Punjab province.

The prisoners, some of whom are serving sentences for kidnapping people for ransom, were demanding their freedom in return for that of the judges. "Three judges and all five kidnappers have been killed during the operation," confirmed Amjad Javed Saleemi, police superintendent in Sialkot.