EDITORIAL: 29TH MARCH 2011

http://www.dafsocialmediapoll.com/D-Fraser---Editorial-29-03-11.html

EDITORIAL: 29TH MARCH 2011

CLASS WAITING TO EXHALE - WILL MR. MOHAMMED SURPRISE US ALL

By David A.M. Fraser

The statement issued from the office of the Prime Minister on the matter regarding the comments of racial imbalances between Africans and Indians in the TTPS made by Chairman of the Police Service Commission Nizam Mohammed, fell short of asking for his resignation, or indicating any action to remove him from the position.

That a mere condemnation and wrap on the knuckles was all that it was purported to represent, sent the wrong signals to the population. The statement lacked any definitive action, which leads one to wonder whether or not the government has paid this matter any serious attention.

However, styles of leadership differ greatly, and being the first female Prime Minister, Mrs. Kamla Persad Bissessar may have a different way of doing things, probably a bit more diplomatic, hoping that Messer's Mohammed does the right and Honourable thing, which is to tender his resignation and move on with life.

However, the Prime Minister is not dealing with a normal person, but one filled by the trappings of office and being self important, and a person consumed with a lot of foolish pride.

Given the multiple incidents which transpired around him in the past weeks, Mr. Mohammed should have already taken his departure, demonstrating diplomacy, tact and integrity. These are characteristics, which are par for the course being Chairman of the Police Service Commission also referred to as the PSC. Maybe, while no handbook exists, the convention and practices of history will apply, but I guess in the absence of rules governing anything, it is fine for Mr. Mohammed to change the game as it suits his fancy.

Nizam Mohammed either way is unsuitable to hold office, and should not be given the diplomatic exit, for he shall never resign, hoping against all odds of logic that he could remain the head of the Police Service Commission.

His last remarks came at a time of embattlement with social activists, members of the public, and officers of the TTPS. These incidents obviously have shaken him up to the extent that he continues the war, though not good for the country or the image of the Service Commission.

The Police Service Commission was seen as the last bastion of those institutions whereby diplomacy, integrity, and high honour represented the image and values of the organisation. None other than Nizam Mohammed has diminished the spirit and traditions of that organisation and its high stature.

Clearly, his actions demonstrate someone who cares only about continuing to occupy office, or believes being important is more beneficial to him, than the best interests of the country, to whom he serves.

A summary of the issues will show that Mr. Mohammed seems to be courting a blight, which is affecting his ability to act and function with diplomacy, and not bring the PSC and his government into odium.

My assessment is that Mr. Mohammed expects that this too will pass, and in enough time, he could continue to sit as Chairman of the Police Service Commission. But the events show a different story of irreconcilable differences between himself and those whom he leads, these are as follows:

- Mr. Mohammed's alleged battle with Police Officers over his reported refusal to follow traffic instructions and pulling rank on Junior Constables.
- Mr. Mohammed's alleged reports that he feels threatened by harmless law abiding and upstanding citizens, whereby it triggered Special Brach to question such persons for objecting to him getting Senior Counsel status at the Bar and that he be removed from the PSC as Chairman.
- Mr. Mohammed's statements to the Parliament about racial imbalance and claims about Africans in the upper echelons are more in number than East Indians in the Police Service.
- Mr. Mohammed's statements were strongly and publicly condemned by his fellow Commissioners except for one person thereby creating an open divide on the issues of racial imbalance in the Police Service.

- An apparent attempt by a particular member of the PSC to get all members of the PSC to tell the President of the country they fully support Mr. Mohammed on a private matter, which was and still remains of no concern to the Police Service Commission.

- That this attempt was done with Mr. Mohammed's permission has not been verified. However, the attempt was most likely to repose confidence in the leadership style of Mr. Mohammed, and maybe not be a cog in the wheel of him being given Senior Counsel status.

CONCLUSION:
Most people If placed in Mr. Mohammed's untenable position would have done the honourable thing and leave a long time ago, however, Mr. Mohammed's class is still waiting to exhale, will he yet surprise us all.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser

David A.M. Fraser - Founder: davidfraser@dafsocialmediapoll.com

Arlette L-M Jeet - Partner: arlettejeet@dafsocialmediapoll.com

FAFA Ltd. : fafaltd@dafsocialmediapoll.com Facebook: David Fraser

DAF Social Media Poll blog: http://dafsocialmediapoll.blogspot.com

FRONTLINE blog: http://davidamfraser.blogspot.com/

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David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet and their DAF Social Media Poll Team

“WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS”

David A.M. Fraser

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David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet and their DAF Social Media Poll Team

“WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS”

The Official Report of the 10th DAF Social Media Poll

David A.M. Fraser

http://www.dafsocialmediapoll.com/10th-Report-DAF-Social-Media.html

Our Report of the 10th DAF Social Media Poll is hereto attached.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet

''WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS"

David A.M. Fraser

The DAF Social Media Poll Team's article on PROACTIVE POLICING is hereto attached.

http://www.dafsocialmediapoll.com/PROACTIVE-POLICING---.html

The DAF Social Media Poll Team's article on PROACTIVE POLICING is hereto attached.

Do note that all legal rights are retained by FAFA Ltd. which may be contacted through us.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet

"WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS"

www.dafsocialmediapoll.com

The Official DAF Social Media Poll Team's View regarding the Ansa McAl Poll

David A.M. Fraser

INTRODUCTION:

We here at the DAF Social Media Poll Team learned that the ANSA McAl Psychological Research Centre, University of the West Indies, St Augustine has published a Poll that appears to be similar in question and results as ours. We take this as evidence that our methodology is proving to be of the highest quality and as such, we are on the correct path.

OUR METHODOLOGY:

The DAF Social Media Poll combines the aggregate total and then uses a method to come up with the numbers. We do not assume that everyone is automatically given to a particular mindset or way of thinking.

We perform different types of empathic research inclusive of the free response question element as well as the empathic research survey element. Such research has become rather significant to the present era and has been established in importance by those such as internationally renowned strategist Adam Silver, Strategist of Frog Design and as well as Professor of Innovation and Strategic Leadership, Dr. Gary W. Oster.

Dr. Gary W. Oster is a Professor of Innovation and Strategic Leadership at Regent University, Virginia, United States of America. In his work entitled “Diving The Need. Compensatory Behavior of Customers” he highlights that customers do not always know what they need or want or how to express these needs or wants, to another. Indeed he indicates that it is in the hands of the empathic researcher to “divine” or decipher these needs and wants without putting words into the mouths of customers. When this is established, then processes may be implemented to ensure these needs are met and wants fulfilled. It is hereby submitted that each citizen may be deemed a customer at some point in time and as such this is applicable.

Dr. Gary W. Oster goes on to say, “Although important customer information may be discovered through statistical analysis of regular market research data, qualitative empathic research translates into a rich body of lore to be systematically shared with coworkers, ultimately leading to helpful hypotheses and ideas.”

Adam Silver, leading Strategist of Frog Design, New York, United States of America is known for his empathic research inclusive of surveys, questionnaires and the like. In his article “Calculated Design” he states, “When individual observations can be contextualized within a data-driven knowledge of the market at hand, designers can have the best of both worlds. And there are many analytical tools that work well in this context. Segmentation analysis can be used to challenge thinking around current and prospective users, sorting consumers into salient, sometimes unexpected groups that hold together based on survey data – groups that defy traditional demographic segments can be linked by more relevant factors, such as behavioral patterns or attitudes towards technology.

Another method, factor analysis, can be used to sort through a list of product criteria, suggesting which are related to each other in the user’s mind (size and weight, for example) and which represent independent ideas (perhaps device size versus perceived value). Regression analysis can explain how strongly each of these factors will impact a consumer’s purchasing decision, helping to prioritize design considerations in a cost- or time-limited project. By exploring and quantifying the chain of considerations that influence a complex consumer decision, we gain insight into how each step impacts the next, yielding breakthroughs from formerly intractable problems.”

We at the DAF Social Media Poll Team collate information through every form of secure online media available to us in an effort to fulfill our aim. In so doing we are better able to assess issues as well as disseminate the said assessments in a timely fashion. We further take into account those persons who may form fictitious names and pages to promote varying interests that would also vote in such polls.

We poll persons who are genuine, persons whom we actually know. We apply a discounting rate to accommodate the phenomenon of phantom users who attempt to deter progress in any shape or form. We continuously refine the DAF Social Media Poll model in a bid to improve accuracy and reliability of the data we publish.

ANALYSIS:

We at the DAF Social Media Poll Team published our 9^th DAF Social Media Poll Report on February 21^st, 2011. Our 9^th DAF Social Media Poll focused on rating the Public Perception of the performance of Commissioner Gibbs and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

OUR 9^th DAF SOCIAL MEDIA POLL QUESTIONS AND RESULTS:

QUESTION A: ON A SCALE OF ZERO (0) TO TEN (10), HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE PERFORMANCE OF POLICE COMMISSIONER DWAYNE GIBBS, SINCE HE ASSUMED OFFICE IN OCTOBER 2010 TO DATE? THE NUMBER TEN (10) REPRESENTS THE HIGHEST SCORE FOR PERFORMANCE, THE DIGIT ONE (1) REPRESENTING THE LOWEST SCORE, WHILE THE DIGIT ZERO (0) WILL REPRESENT NO OPINION, INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO MAKE AN ASSUMPTION, OR JUST CAN’T SAY.

Option 0 = 9%

Option 1 = 27%

Option 2= 0%

Option 3 = 9 %

Option 4= 18%

Option 5= 19 %

Option 6= 0%

Option 7= 9%

Option 8= 9 %

Option 9= 0%

Option 10= 0%

Figure 1 illustrates in percentage the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question A, options 0 through 9.

QUESTION B: WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE TO REFLECT YOUR TRUE OPINION REGARDING THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE TTPS?

1. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is trying their best to keep crime under control = 0%

2. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is not trying their best to keep crime under control = 38%

3. There has been a noticeable improvement in Policing since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office, compared to the past two years = 0%

4. I have confidence that given some more time, Commissioner Gibbs could make a difference and turn around things, improving our country’s security and safety = 15 %

5. I do not have confidence that Commissioner Gibbs could turn around the situation and reduce crime, that would improve our country’s safety and security = 31 %

6. The level of professionalism and standards of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have improved since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office = 0%

7. The level and standard of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has not improved, and or gotten worst since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office = 8%

8. Not enough information is at my disposal to make a determination on this matter = 8 %

9. None of the above statements represent my opinion on this matter at this time = 0%

Figure 2 is a chart illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question B, options 1 through 9.

DAF Social Media Poll ANALYSIS OF OUR FREE RESPONSE SEGMENTS:

QUESTION A Option 10: How would you rate the performance of police commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, since he assumed office in October 2010 to date? Please submit your opinion and comments on this matter to us.

The general sentiment of these responses include that Commissioner Gibbs had a difficult task to handle as well as a difficult situation to deal with. Contributors felt that the Commissioner was not in an ideal situation to make any significant or immediate improvements through his performance at this time. Furthermore contributors highlighted that the Commissioner had a rather tedious task dealing with the TTPS in its present form.

QUESTION B Option 10: Which of the following statements do you believe to reflect your true opinion regarding the Trinidad and Tobago police service TTPS? Please submit your opinion and comments on this matter to us.

Across the board, contributors were not at all impressed in any form or fashion by the TTPS and indicated to us their lack of confidence in the TTPS. As it stands contributors do not see the TTPS as having the ability to “protect and serve” whether it be in attitude or in the actual performance of its functions as a whole.

ANSA MCAL PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE QUESTION AND THEIR RESULTS: “How do you rate government’s handling of the crime situation by ethnicity?”

Figure 3 is a graph from the ANSA MCAL PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE, as published on the Guardian Media online edition of January 27^th 2011. It illustrates the results of the separate poll taken by ANSA MCAL PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH CENTRE, as published on the Guardian Media online edition of January 27^th 2011.

DATE OF OUR POLL AND THEIRS:

DAF Social Media Poll: We executed the Poll from February 14^th, 2011 to February 21^st, 2011.

ANSA McAl Psychological Research Centre: They executed their poll from February 3^rd, 2011 to February 6^th, 2011.

DAF Social Media Poll: We published our Poll on February 21^st 2011

ANSA McAl Psychological Research Centre: Published their Poll on February 27, 2011

SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE 9^TH DAF Social Media Poll PUBLISHED ON February 21^st 2011 and the ANSA McAl Psychological Research Centre published on February 27^th 2011 :

• The nature of the questions asked where similar – both dealt with public perception on government’s handling of crime.
• The time period of issuing of both polls were February 2011
• The results found were close in number and similar

THE TELEPHONE METHOD AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA METHOD:

We at the DAF Social Media Poll Team have extensive experience within the field of empathic research and polls which is why we have chosen the Social Media Poll route instead of a mere telephone survey. This way, we have built relationships and databases that ensure questionnaires are executed with the utmost impartiality.There is no colouring of the issues. Whereas with a telephone survey only, participants are not allowed to write their opinions to clarify any of their own questions on the matter and those questioning them by telephone usually lead participants to answer how they desire them to answer.

Furthermore when we look at the Telephone Method vs. Social Media Polling, we may refer to the Report of our 8th DAF Social Media Poll wherein we experimented in structuring our questionnaire and how leading questions do negatively affect polling. It was proven that leading questions tend to skew polls.

It should also be noted that our focus group structure includes persons ranging from opinion leaders to rank and file political activists and housewives thereby providing a wide enough pool from which to receive opinions. We here at the DAF Social Media Poll Team are also creating a benchmark from which we will now track trends and changes in such trends over time, so as to measure public perception on a range of issues.

CONCLUSION:

With all of the information set out in this report, it is highlighted that the DAF Social Media Poll team is clearly performing the job of empathic researchers. Our results for the 9^Th DAF Social Media Poll are similar to that in question as well as in results of the ANSA McAl Psychological Research Centre and their Poll results for their question “How do you rate government’s handling of the crime situation by ethnicity?”

Everything at the DAF Social Media Poll Team is above board. Every DAF Social Media Poll is performed justly and fairly so as to uphold integrity of the DAF Social Media Poll and Team. Together we are indeed building successful nations.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet

And Their DAF Social Media Poll Team

Blog: FRONTLINE By David Fraser http://davidamfraser.blogspot.com

Blog: DAF Social Media Poll http://dafsocialmediapoll.blogspot.com/

Facebook: David Fraser

EMAIL US AT: fafaltd@gmail.com

“WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS”

David A.M. Fraser

EMAIL: fafaltd@gamail.com

REPORT OF the 9th DAF SOCIAL MEDIA POLL No. 201102149

9th DAF SOCIAL MEDIA POLL

DATE: February 14th to February 21^st, 2011

REPORT OF the 9th DAF SOCIAL MEDIA POLL No. 201102149

DAF Social Media Poll was created by David A.M. Fraser to monitor public opinion on issues, locally as well as internationally.

VISION STATEMENT:

The DAF Social Media Poll is designed to garner public opinion on various issues, both locally and internationally. Our expectation is that information hereby collated be put into action for an improved society and improved total life experience for all citizens and residents of Trinidad and Tobago. In making such improvements we shall touch lives both locally as well as globally thereby improving lives from country to country.

VOTE OF THANKS FROM THE FOUNDER:

“This is the report of out 9^th DAF Social Media Poll. We would like to remind you that in our preceding report of the 8^th DAF Social Media Poll we indicated to you of our intentions to establish FUTURE APPROACHES and NEW IDEAS as well as MEASURING SOCIETY. I think it appropriate here to update you on the matter.

UPDATE ON FUTURE APPROACHES:

1. We are in the process of establishing a variety of Active Focus Groups. Thus far we have established our first which will meet from time to time to discuss public policy and other issues as part of gauging public opinion, gleaning common themes and tracking change in opinion over time.

2. This data is in the process of being matched against our other sources of data.

3. We have presently incorporated the element of the free response question within this segment of our empathic research.

UPDATE ON NEW IDEAS AND MEASURING SOCIETY:

In the Report of our 8^th DAF Social Media Poll we indicated “It is rather important to be able to analyse public satisfaction with governance and leadership, business, civil society and religious and labour leaders. Understanding these phenomenons will greatly impact society and help in the making of policy, attitudes and decisions to resemble what people want as opposed to doing things against their will. In difficult decisions, the importance of debates and public education is fundamental to acquiring public support for new policy direction. Social revolutions such as that presently occurring within Egypt and the Middle East can spread worldwide. We can either learn from these mistakes and change our style of doing things, or fail to heed the wind of change globally, and find ourselves wanting. People are more enlightened today than at any other time. New technology is changing practically everything, every aspect of daily lives.

Our predictions were proven correct as we see this revolutionary spirit sweeping throughout the Middle East, from Tunisia to Egypt to Bahrain and Libya. This trend supports our firm belief that those in Leadership and Government positions must take heed of such occurrences and the root cause behind it all. The voice of the people must be heard but in a coherent and palatable manner thereby warding off unwanted violence.

We at the DAF Social Media Poll Team are pleased to be able to continue to create, develop as well as innovate the tools by which opinions are voiced in a coherent and palatable fashion. As we continue to grow both in number and in social awareness, we are pleased that the DAF Social Media Poll is the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago, and is primarily used as a tool to inform and educate. Through your participation we now have a more informed view of how current events impact you personally and an increased understanding of how family and social life, development, governance and business are all affected by public opinion. Thank you for your kind participation. Please continue to contribute knowing that we can all improve society when we work together to achieve noble objectives.”

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser

Blog: FRONTLINE By David Fraser http://davidamfraser.blogspot.com

Blog: DAF Social Media Poll http://dafsocialmediapoll.blogspot.com/

Facebook: David Fraser EMAIL US AT: fafaltd@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION:

In our 9^th DAF Poll we requested contributors to consider the PERFORMANCE OF COMMISSIONER GIBBS in relation to the handling of key issues regarding crime. The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dwayne Gibbs, has been on the job for approximately 4 months at time of polling. The objective of this poll was to measure public perception regarding his performance.

OUR AIM:

It is our aim herein to equitably test the performance of Commissioner Gibbs thereby enhancing our understanding of the vision the present government has for the policing of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. With this understanding we can measure what necessary improvements ought to be made and instigate processes whereby such improvements are implemented.

Remember it is your voice that is being echoed through this Poll. It is your voice that has the power to ensure positive change when your opinions are disseminated in a coherent and appropriate fashion. Equipped with your contributions to the DAF Social Media Poll, together we are disseminating your opinions through the most effective techniques, thereby impacting nations in an optimal manner.

INTEGRITY IN THE DAF SOCIAL MEDIA POLL PROCESS:

1. We note there are those who would attempt to skew polls. We have a policy to remove such persons from our David Fraser social media group on facebook who would deter the equitable and preferred process.

2. We have in fact performed such removals in the past and have made members aware of this. We are always alert to the possibility that we may again be forced to ensure such removals are performed, should there be just cause to do so.

3. We do not fabricate data.

4. As part of the DAF Social Media Poll’s assessment process we do interface with various contributors before publishing our reports to ensure the integrity of the DAF Social Media Poll model.

METHODOLOGY:

We collated information through every form of secure online media available to us in an effort to fulfill our aim. In so doing we are better able to assess issues as well as disseminate the said assessments in a timely fashion. We have further taken into account those persons who may form fictitious names and pages to promote varying interests that would also vote in such a poll.

We poll persons who are genuine, persons whom we actually know. We apply a discounting rate to accommodate the phenomenon of phantom users who attempt to deter progress in any shape or form. Being mindful of the fact that there are persons involved in such activities, we take this opportunity to reassure you that we will continue to refine the DAF Social Media Poll model in a bid to improve accuracy and reliability of the data presented thereby ensuring your voice is heard in our effort to establish a positive impact for all.

NOTEWORTHY:

You will recall our previous experiment within the 8^th DAF Social Media Poll. There we experimented and proved that when leading questions are asked, this results in discrepancies within the Poll. Therefore it is of optimum importance that such Poll questions be built and presented in such a way as to ensure integrity is upheld. Leading questions give skewed results. This is the reasoning behind why we have now refined our questionnaire methodology to make certain our methodology is of the highest quality and provides accurate results.

QUALITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE POLL:

You may also note that persons are now giving their opinions without prejudice. This includes the fact that instead of attacking other persons or making cute statements against someone they may not have a liking for, they are seeking to contribute tactfully as well as respectfully basing their responses on facts and truth rather than hearsay or defamation.

ASSESSMENT:

QUESTION A: ON A SCALE OF ZERO (0) TO TEN (10), HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE PERFORMANCE OF POLICE COMMISSIONER DWAYNE GIBBS, SINCE HE ASSUMED OFFICE IN OCTOBER 2010 TO DATE? THE NUMBER TEN (10) REPRESENTS THE HIGHEST SCORE FOR PERFORMANCE, THE DIGIT ONE (1) REPRESENTING THE LOWEST SCORE, WHILE THE DIGIT ZERO (0) WILL REPRESENT NO OPINION, INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION TO MAKE AN ASSUMPTION, OR JUST CAN’T SAY.

Option 0 = 9%

Option 1 = 27%

Option 2= 0%

Option 3 = 9 %

Option 4= 18%

Option 5= 19 %

Option 6= 0%

Option 7= 9%

Option 8= 9 %

Option 9= 0%

Option 10= 0%

Figure 1 illustrates in percentage the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question A, options 0 through 9.

QUESTION B: WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS DO YOU BELIEVE TO REFLECT YOUR TRUE OPINION REGARDING THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE TTPS?

1. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is trying their best to keep crime under control = 0%

2. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is not trying their best to keep crime under control = 38%

3. There has been a noticeable improvement in Policing since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office, compared to the past two years = 0%

4. I have confidence that given some more time, Commissioner Gibbs could make a difference and turn around things, improving our country’s security and safety = 15 %

5. I do not have confidence that Commissioner Gibbs could turn around the situation and reduce crime, that would improve our country’s safety and security = 31 %

6. The level of professionalism and standards of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have improved since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office = 0%

7. The level and standard of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has not improved, and or gotten worst since Commissioner Gibbs assumed office = 8%

8. Not enough information is at my disposal to make a determination on this matter = 8 %

9. None of the above statements represent my opinion on this matter at this time = 0%

Figure 2 is a chart illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question B, options 1 through 9.

Figure 3 is a Pie Chart illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question A, options 0 through 9.

Figure 4 is a Bar Graph illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question A, options 0 through 9.

Figure 5 is a Pie Chart illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question B.

Figure 6 is a Bar Graph illustrating in percentages the selections made by contributors of the 9^th DAF Social Media Poll in relation to Question B.

ANALYSIS:

Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs did not meet an ideal situation when he assumed office. Indeed what Commissioner Gibbs met was an organisation which was over funded with absolutely no accountability or key performance indicators by which to measure its effectiveness. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) despite spending billions of dollars on its transformation remain virtually unchanged in its mode of operations. The TTPS is a professional organisation with some highly skilled personnel, but largely made up of what many refer to as the less skilled members of the society.

It appears that no management systems are in place within this organisation. To illustrate this point let us take the example of government expenditure regarding TTPS, into consideration. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent upgrading Police Stations yet the working conditions of officers, their surroundings and place of work remain less than acceptable conditions for human occupation. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service was seen as a place where persons who wanted employment and were unskilled, got a job. The TTPS also does not care about resources given to it, abusing and destroying everything given to them.

Opportunity costs for Police Service operations have to be reclassified as Wasted Opportunity Costs. The absence of management systems or personnel meant the organisation was functioning on auto pilot, and became slave to the interpretation of the law and training methods that were 100 years old. Today, most Police Officers cannot use computers, save and except for a few specialist operators. Technology is viewed as a tool to monitor the effectiveness of officers and make them work, so it is feared and rejected and sabotaged.

Police Officers challenged the promotions exams in the middle of the first decade of the 21st century saying they were too difficult, and designed to make them fail. These exams were simple and should be passed by anyone working in a Policing Environment. There has been resistance to polygraphing, mandatory drug and alcohol testing, and the Police Canteen system in Districts functioned to give Officers credit for Alcohol.

By and large the TTPS is seen as a non functioning division of the government which does not serve the best interests of the society, but exists as a law unto itself. Several different administrations have been handicapped by the great power they wheel against any government that attempts to curb its excess, and bring the organisation in line with acceptable international standards of Policing.

Although not stated, but in interviews with several officers, their expressed dislike of the COP had nothing to do with Commissioner Gibbs being incompetent, unqualified and lacking in international experience, but the fact that he was Caucasian/White. His ethnicity was what they chose to base their dislike upon.

Trinidad and Tobago practiced an inverse system of apartheid after Independence, encouraged by a nationalist experiment of the 60'sand 70's by the deceased Dr. Eric Williams, as he divided the society to keep himself entrenched in political office. Today, as we look at the society, this great divide and imaginary enemy is what is responsible for the permanent negative myopia that pervades the society, and the constant state of revolution in which people are mired.

The very left leaning ideology of the 70's seem to be taking root once again, as the society faces social and economic adjustments coupled with ever increasing problems of crime and violence. There seems to be an inextricable link between the ideological framework and the criminal mindset of left leaning societies and big state controlled development. The TTPS is not immune from the process and as we continue to examine the issues affecting society, so too shall you be informed as to our findings, in the attendant hope that those in Authority can use this information to shape and or formulate better governance policy for Trinidad and Tobago.

ANALYSIS OF QUESTION A:

We requested contributors to rate on a scale of zero (0) to ten (10), the performance of Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, since he assumed Office in October 2010 to date. The number ten (10) represents the highest score for performance, the digit one (1) representing the lowest score, while the digit zero (0) will represent no opinion, insufficient information to make an assumption, or just can’t say.9% of contributors selected option 0 on the scale. 27% of contributors rated his performance as 1 on the scale which is the lowest score available. 9% of contributors chose Option 3. 18% of contributors chose Option 4. 19% of contributors chose Option 5. 9% chose options 7 and 8. 0% of contributors chose options 2, 6, 9 or the highest rating available which is 10.

ANALYSIS OF QUESTION B:

In any survey, poll and/or questionnaire one must observe any correlations between questions and/or statements. Do note the correlation between statements 2 and 5 below.

2. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is not trying their best to keep crime under control = 38%. 5. I do not have confidence that Commissioner Gibbs could turn around the situation and reduce crime, that would improve our country’s safety and security = 31 %.

This indicates that there is a direct relation between these statements and their responses. Essentially this indicates that if there was not a problem with the TTPS in handling crime, if they had indeed been perceived as being able to handle crime suitably then there would actually be confidence in Commissioner Gibbs’ ability to turn around the situation thereby improving our country’s safety and security.

Hence it is clear that the performance of the TTPS directly affects any confidence or lack thereof in Commissioner Gibbs’ abilities.

0% of contributors chose 1. THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE IS TRYING THEIR BEST TO KEEP CRIME UNDER CONTROL. 38% chose 2. THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE IS NOT TRYING THEIR BEST TO KEEP CRIME UNDER CONTROL. 0% chose 3. THERE HAS BEEN A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT IN POLICING SINCE COMMISSIONER GIBBS ASSUMED OFFICE, COMPARED TO THE PAST TWO YEARS. 15% selected option 4. which stated I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT GIVEN SOME MORE TIME, COMMISSIONER GIBBS COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND TURN AROUND THINGS, IMPROVING OUR COUNTRY’S SECURITY AND SAFETY. 31% selected option 5. I DO NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT COMMISSIONER GIBBS COULD TURN AROUND THE SITUATION AND REDUCE CRIME, THAT WOULD IMPROVE OUR COUNTRY’S SAFETY AND SECURITY. 0% selected 6. THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONALISM AND STANDARDS OF THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE HAVE IMPROVED SINCE COMMISSIONER GIBBS ASSUMED OFFICE. 8% selected option 7. THE LEVEL AND STANDARD OF THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO POLICE SERVICE HAS NOT IMPROVED, AND OR GOTTEN WORST SINCE COMMISSIONER GIBBS ASSUMED OFFICE. Another 8% chose 8. NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION IS AT MY DISPOSAL TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON THIS MATTER. This brings us to option 9. which 0% of contributors selected NONE OF THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REPRESENT MY OPINION ON THIS MATTER AT THIS TIME.

ANALYSIS OF THE FREE RESPONSE SEGMENTS:

QUESTION A Option 10: How would you rate the performance of police commissioner Dwayne Gibbs, since he assumed office in October 2010 to date? Please submit your opinion and comments on this matter to us.

The general sentiment of these responses include that Commissioner Gibbs had a difficult task to handle as well as a difficult situation to deal with. Contributors felt that the Commissioner was not in an ideal situation to make any significant or immediate improvements through his performance at this time. Furthermore contributors highlighted that the Commissioner had a rather tedious task dealing with the TTPS in its present form.

QUESTION B Option 10: Which of the following statements do you believe to reflect your true opinion regarding the Trinidad and Tobago police service TTPS? Please submit your opinion and comments on this matter to us.

Across the board, contributors were not at all impressed in any form or fashion by the TTPS and indicated to us their lack of confidence in the TTPS. As it stands contributors do not see the TTPS as having the ability to “protect and serve” whether it be in attitude or in the actual performance of its functions as a whole.

HOW THE SAMPLE WAS TAKEN:

The sample was taken by way of information collated from the online contributions made by active members of David Fraser’s Group on Facebook. Once again our valued members were contacted via Facebook inbox messages as well as a visible poll on the David Fraser Group’s page. Information was analysed and presented in relation to the percentage of Members who cast their vote via this social media poll.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

It is a well known fact that leaders have a difficult job. They are limited by the support or lack thereof of their followers. In much the same way that followers have a difficult task in that they too are limited by the support or lack thereof of their leaders. Based on our collective as well as intimate understanding of law enforcement, Trinidad and Tobago culture and the crime situation, our recommendations are as follows:

Educate the nation that THE INVERSE SYSTEM OF APARTHEID is indeed prejudice and unjust and as such should not be tolerated.

Combine the knowledge and wisdom of all ethnicities of Trinidad and Tobago; this is a positive move forward. Do not that we state knowledge and wisdom not fabricated and twisted knowledge and wisdom.

Revamp the TTPS. Ensure that root problems within the TTPS are dealt with in a timely and appropriate fashion, not glossed over.

Create a new Policing Body, equipped for the challenges we face.

Initiate, develop and innovate the managing systems in place within the Policing Body or Bodies.

Market the Policing Body in such a way that will attract highly skilled, experienced and intelligent personnel to be keen on joining.

Create an innovative Police Training Programme encouraging personnel to police in a fashion that seeks justice and fairness for all, not just a selected few.

Instill a sense of duty within personnel via team building exercises.

Build a Community Police force as part of the innovative Policing Body/Organisation which bridges the chasm between policing on a part-time basis until becoming a full-fledged officer such as with the forces within the United Kingdom.

Build a proper incentive programme, health and wellness package along with a compensation package that is competitive thereby ensuring that highly skilled personnel are attracted to the positions within the newly formed Policing Body/Organisation.

Do professional Performance Reviews of personnel and use these reviews to measure the appropriateness of their performance as well as any improvements that must be made.

Hold officers and/or personnel accountable for their actions.

CONCLUSION:

We now have scientific data rating your perception of the performance of Commissioner Gibbs. The 9^th DAF Social Media Poll continues to indicate that best results as well as just results are produced only when we act as emphatic researchers thereby allowing contributors to make their own decisions and not be guided to make a decision that another is desirous of them to make.

It is must be acknowledged that the contributions from Members of David Fraser’s Group in this poll, indicate that we continue to take the path of social awareness and education which continuously leads us as a group, to increased success. Together we are indeed building successful nations.

Respectfully Submitted,

David A.M. Fraser and Arlette L-M Jeet

and their DAF Social Media Poll Team

Blog: FRONTLINE By David Fraser http://davidamfraser.blogspot.com

Blog: DAF Social Media Poll http://dafsocialmediapoll.blogspot.com/

Facebook: David Fraser

EMAIL US AT: fafaltd@gmail.com

“WORKING TOGETHER TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL NATIONS”

David A.M. Fraser
EMAIL: fafaltd@gmail.com