Upkeep of police vehicles

In these difficult economic times, the government has to do all that it can to restrict capital expenditure and to keep its recurrent expenses under control. The recent announcement by Police Commissioner Owen Ellington that officers are not looking after their police vehicles and should take more care is an important one in that process.

To anyone who drives it comes as no surprise to hear this announcement as everyday we see police officers driving recklessly on our roads.  In fact, it is rather ironic that the police who are entrusted to maintain law and order on our roads are themselves being accused of having no regard for the laws of the road.  In fact, one of the major causes of accidents is dangerous overtaking.  Now it is clear that in the course of pursuing justice that vehicles will be damaged perhaps by gunshots or by vehicles that crash into them.  However, to have the majority of vehicles destroyed through the negligence of the drivers is unacceptable.

There is an attitude that permeates society that says that things belonging to government do not need to be looked after and it seems to me that this holds true for the police force as well.  It is time that we understand as a nation that when we destroy the things that belong to government it is our own taxes that have to be used to replace them.  At a time when we have so many needs we do not wish to spend scarce resources on items which we did not anticipate.  There is a need to instill within the police force the discipline which is so badly lacking in society today.  Police ought to be examples of discipline and set the standards for others to follow.  Part of that discipline is exhibiting an awareness of the need for fiscal prudence by ensuring that the police cars are properly maintained.

In the United States, many police personnel are assigned their own car which can actually be taken to their house and there are strict rules on usage and care.  We may not have enough vehicles to do that but we can certainly make officers more accountable for their vehicles.  If an officer is found to be at fault in damaging the vehicles then that officer should be required to do additional driving instruction to ensure that there is a proper respect for the rules of the road.  In addition, repeat offenders should be liable for part/all of the damage to the car depending on the circumstances.  A commission should be established to review all accidents to cars and to make a determination as to fault.

These measures would ensure that all officers are aware of the rules of the road and should help to encourage them to demonstrate more care in keeping their vehicles.

Tags: Carl Wilson