The Case for an Inspector General, Law Enforcement
Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac
I am going to make a case, compelling enough, for our representative in government (executive and legislative) would seriously consider. We all have been aware of the lack of consistent and efficient enforcement of our laws and regulations. In spite the fact that we have numerous agents and agencies responsible for enforcing our laws. Why are our laws not enforced? Without trying to scientifically analyze this phenomenon, by our own observation we witness the lack of enforcement. The police department is the principal law enforcement agency, followed by all the other departments and agencies that have police officers or peace officers.
Some department and agencies of the government that have agents with police powers are the marshals in the judicial branch, Port Authority, Health Department, Finance Department, Waste Management Authority, The VI Lottery, VI Police Department, and the Justice Department. There may be others, but these are the ones that come to mind readily. With all these agencies and departments with police powers in a small community as ours and still there is so much lawlessness, so much criminal activities going on, many in plain view. Why? Is there a lack of what? A lack of morality in our public servants? A lack of exemplary leadership in government? Why are we not enforcing our own laws? Do we need help from the federal government to clean up our own community, our own government?
I have made this recommendation, that we institute an Office of the Inspector General for Law Enforcement, an autonomous agency of the government that will be responsible for overseeing the enforcement of all our laws of our government. This office will report to both the executive (the Governor) and the legislature (the Senate). An Inspector General and two assistants one per district and an office staff of about three persons, distributed between the districts, could administer this office. This suggestion for an office of an Inspector General for law enforcement was made to the Governor and Lt. Governor and to the legislature Committee on Public Safety, Homeland Security and Justice personally by me this year.
In the absence of a better idea or suggestions to address our poor law enforcement in general, I believe we should try this recommendation at least for a period of three to five years. After that period, an overall evaluation should be made as to the effectiveness, with an objective assessment the decision could be made for a permanent status in our government structure. I look forward to see and/or hear some positive feedback to this recommendation. It we are really seeking solutions then let us consider all ideas and recommendations and select those are feasible and practical. It is not a matter of more bureaucracy it is a matter of making the bureaucracy more efficient and accountable.
J. J. Estemac
CCBG
St. Thomas, VI
you are so of horse crap it aint funny remeber you were a police officer with the same powers you are now talking about. what did you do to make these islands safer,you were just a BIG WASTE OF TIME. you never made 1 arrest when you lived on st.croix then you RAN to st .thomas to collect your retirement. you need to go on one of the small cays and hide under a tree and shut your BIG COWARD MOUTH.