Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Fitz Jackson, has raised objection to a comment by the minister, about having more direct role in the affairs of the police force.

This, after Robert Montague told parliament this afternoon (Jan 23) that as minister, he needs a clearly defined role, if he is to be able, to give an account to the public.

The minister was referring to the need for accountability from the police services commission, which has oversight responsibility for the force.

Mr. Montague says, the legislative framework governing the national security architecture, needs strengthening, as it is not sustainable in its current formation.

The minister says, years after the policy change, to give full supervision of the force to the commissioner, crime is still rampant, so it means, the change has not yielded the expected results.

He says the police’s role is to serve, protect and to reassure, and questioned whether the people’s representative, should also have a role.

However, Mr. Jackson says, the opposition does not support giving the minister authority, over operational matters in the police force.