EDITORIAL
The fast breaking news in the country concerns the disgraceful espionage conducted by the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) on a closed door meeting of the Executive of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
This is unacceptable behaviour on the part of the force and Police Commissioner Winston James should take full responsibility for the activities of the men and women under his command.
It is one thing for the Special Branch of any police organisation in the world to tape record the proceedings of a public meeting of political parties but a far different thing to engage in the kind of espionage that took place at NDC's head office on Lucas Street, St. George's.
Mr. James, we did not expect that kind of activities by a police force under your command. This is the kind of things one expected of your predecessor, Fitzroy Bedeau who has now shown his true colours by accepting a candidacy for St. John's with the ruling New National Party (NNP) government of Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell.
As Mr. Bedeau himself publicly stated, he regards Prime Minister Mitchell as his "mentor" and as such one came to the conclusion that he would have done anything to please his "master".
GRENADA TODAY has always had the greatest respect and administration for Mr. James as a long-serving policeman with integrity, decency, honesty, humility and sincerity.
Our strong belief is that the present COP did not sanction that operation by the Special Branch of the force and it was the work of certain elements in RGPF that are loyal to NNP.
As a matter of fact, Mr. James admitted to this newspaper on Tuesday that he knew nothing of the NDC meeting on Lucas Street and the operation that was carried out by a member of his force. This newspaper believes the COP.
However, this kind of espionage operation by the Special Branch, headed by Superintendent Anthony De Gale reminds us of the Watergate Scandal in the United States in which President Richard Nixon was disgraced and fell from power due to the bugging of the headquarters of the rival Democratic Party.
It is clear that our private homes might no longer be safe from the long hands of the police force and those political operatives within the unit. A few years ago, GRENADA TODAY reported that the police have in their possession certain equipment that can tap into the lines of certain persons deemed to be national security risk like drug dealers in our midst.
Can we now conclude that these same apparatus are being used by elements within the force that are loyal to the NNP regime to listen in on conversations of persons considered to be against the NNP regime?
Several months ago, the Leader of the Opposition made a public statement that he was invited to a certain place and heard for himself a tape-recording of a telephone conversation that he held on the phone with someone at his legal office in Grenville, St. Andrew's.
GRENADA TODAY is warning the nation to be extremely vigilant in these times as the NNP is in a state of panic with general elections just around the corner and will do every and anything possible to hold onto the reins of power.
Prime Minister Mitchell is fully aware of the consequences that will flow in his direction on demitting office.
The two top officials of the current administration, PM Mitchell himself and deputy Prime Minister, Gregory Bowen are battling to avoid prosecution in the United States for alleged wrong-doing and need to remain in power.
Our strong feeling is that the NNP out of its desperation will engage in activities that will set the stage for unrest in Grenada and the eventual declaration of a State of Emergency.
Desperate men do desperate things and see no problem in tampering with the law in order to survive "the winds of change" now blowing throughout the region.
Our advice to Mr. James is to do the decent thing in order to maintain his integrity and to save face by resigning as Commander of the Police Force.
It will be extremely difficult for a new regime to maintain the status quo with Mr. James as head of the police force. Change is a must with respect to the modus operandi of the police force.
It is even untenable for a new regime to keep Supt. De Gale within the police force since he too has to take responsibility for the work of espionage conducted against a legitimate political party which is know in parliamentary terms as Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition.
Supt. De Gale should be sent somewhere else and not even back to the teaching profession since our youngsters should not be exposed to someone who heads an espionage outfit like the current Special Branch of RGPF.
The police have to operate within the law and respect our democratic institutions including the official opposition.
