Local NewsPolitics DLP supports wiretaps, lie tests, but with strict court oversight by Shanna Moore 16/06/2025 written by Shanna Moore Updated by Barbados Today 16/06/2025 1 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappThreadsBlueskyEmail 429 Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne says the Democratic Labour Party supports the use of wiretapping and lie detector testing to combat violent crime, but only if those powers are exercised by the police and authorised by the judiciary, not politicians. Speaking during a press conference on Monday, Thorne said the government’s recent announcement of new crime-fighting tools should have come from the Commissioner of Police, not the Prime Minister. He warned that political involvement in operational policing sets a dangerous precedent, further describing the “posture” as “problematic”. “The Prime Minister is not a law enforcement officer. Let the police continue their work without political interference or intervention,” he ssaid. He further argued that the introduction of tools like wiretapping requires strict legal protocols and must remain firmly under the control of law enforcement agencies, not the PM or cabinet. “These exercises would be done only by the grant of a warrant, and not a warrant signed by a justice of the peace, because a lot of the justices of the peace are political appointees,” Thorne said. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians “And we would want to take it as well beyond the magistrate… into the high court judiciary.” He added that the rights of all citizens must be equally protected, noting, “Everyone, from the highest public official back then to the vagrant in the street, will be subject to the same protocols and procedures.” Thorne said the DLP remains committed to supporting serious anti-crime efforts but stressed that such efforts must be police-led, court-approved, and free from political interference. (SM) Shanna Moore You may also like St Michael man charged with The Ivy murder 13/07/2025 Harrison College graduates urged to uphold legacy and chart their own path 13/07/2025 A whole lot of vibes at Fusions – Crop Over ignites at... 13/07/2025