Trinidad Guardian
Wednesday 23rd January, 2008
An arresting dilemma in sports
Commissioner Trevor Paul...has banned police officers from taking part in sporting activities.With crime spiraling out of control the nation demanded that the Commissioner of Police (COP) act. Well act he did, under siege on many fronts the police chief cancelled special leave for officers involved in sporting activity. Police officers involved in sport came face to face with the harsh reality; You are being paid to do police work.
Even if in my view the COP erred in making such a blanket decision. “Truth be” told police officers are paid by the taxpayers to protect and serve. When I heard the news last Friday; I could not contemplate what would possess an avid sportsman to make such a decision.
A former president of the Over de Hill Boys and one time chairman of the Police football section, Commissioner Paul journeyed to Germany in 2006 for this country’s historic appearance in the Fifa World Cup final.
During the Colonial era, sport was considered recreation and leisure and one had to be able to afford to participate. Sport was not for the working class. Commissioner Paul’s decision not unsurprisingly created a furor. I maybe overstating things, as not too many outside of sport seemed agitated. But please be sympathetic to the ruffled feathers among the sport fraternity. Maybe it is the old “chip on the shoulder” syndrome and battle scars from centuries of neglect and false dawns.
I tried looking at things from the Commissioner’s point of view, not that he needs me to, my motives were more selfish. I did not want to walk around for the whole day angry. So I sought to rationalise away his reported decision. It seemed so reflective of how our parents and adults operated. When they caught you doing something wrong you would be banished from sporting activity and play.
Those who are more familiar with the Police chief credit him for not being a mean spirited person so it should not be hard to conclude that he was simply doing his best given the available resources and knowledge at his disposal.
Putting aside emotion and replacing it with stone cold logic it was not hard to reposition the suspension of Police sporting activity in a different context. Crime is out of control so what would you have Paul do?
He has to crush the crime scourge by any means necessary. Reminding all Police officers of why they signed up in the police service seems a good way to start or so the supporters of the move will have us believe.
There is a local saying, “You only miss the water when the well runs dry”.
Should the Police sports club curtail all activity it will be a sad day as it may well mark the end of an era. For years Police had been an integral part of the sporting landscape of T&T fielding teams in many disciplines.
Fundamental questions that may arise are would police officers be allowed to join clubs of their own choosing and will they be permitted to play during their off days.
What about those who are called to the national team. Is it that talented sportsmen and women should forego going into the Police Service for fear that they will never be able to fulfill their full potential?
The more we give it thought the more we may realise that this is an important juncture in the history of sport in T&T.
Hidden in plain sight is the fact that for many a year participation in sporting and cultural activity gave the public and communities an occasion to connect and interact with the police service.
Over the last decade the T&T Olympic Committee has accelerated its advocacy in an effort to accelerate the integration of sport into the fabric and culture of T&T society. Some have questioned and denied the need for such a mission.
There is the school of thought that says crime, education, national security and health are bread and butter issues sport is not.
Commissioner Paul’s decision should serve as a wake up call. More importantly, it presents an opportunity to question and discuss the country’s value system regarding sport.
