Dear Editor: The Cook Islands is experiencing a criminal justice crisis, with increased demands to reform the system. While there are demands in all areas--wife beaters, child abusers, drunk drivers, rapists, etc etc, a large number of demands focus on pakalolo (cannabis) reform.

Unfortunately, Police Services media and strategic advisor Trevor Pitt is not engaging in  dialogue between law enforcement and advocates for pakalolo reform that could be beneficial given the war on pakalolo continues evidenced with higher rates of pakalolo activity being prosecuted compared to dangerous drugs like meth, cocaine and heroin not showing up on the police blotter.

And arrests for pakalolo cultivation are increasing because the supply and demand for pakalolo is at an all-time high and will continue to rise exponentially because our people love the benefits that medicinal and recreational pakalolo brings to their lives

The police need to address officer perceptions of various solutions to pakalolo reform, instead of the public hearing more  dogmatic canned views on illegal pakalolo activity from Trevor that are falling on deaf ears except for those in the minority like Teariki Heather who are lapping it up.

The enforcement of pakalolo laws is expensive, it has not decreased the drug's popularity, and such laws detract from the enforcement of more significant crimes. Taxpayers will save money from decriminalisation or legalisation of pakalolo.

As the views on pakalolo have changed in our society, little attention has been given to the views of law enforcement on this matter.

The reason for a lack of inquiry into police officers' attitude is the police occupational subculture, which supports secrecy and suspicion of non-police outsiders. More has to be done in gauging officers' attitudes toward pakalolo use.

Police officers must employ their powers of discretion to have the potential to impact how they perform their duties.

That is, police officers must employ their powers of discretion to selectively enforce or not enforce laws they perceive as being of insignificant severity--an example being no one was ever arrested for the unconscionable laws on homosexuality.

Trevor Pitt is not only a spokesperson for the police, he is a strategic advisor for them. The public expect Trevor to bring his expertise and objective perspective to help the public navigate the complexities of pakalolo laws, and to make informed decisions and stay on track toward the goals of the legalisation of pakalolo that is being demanded by the public.

It will be beneficial for pakalolo reform advocates to be open and willing to reach out to law enforcement to support pakalolo reform.

When it comes to pakalolo activity in the Cook Islands the police have to face the fact they are not going to stop its activity whatever measures they put in place--when they bust one cultivator another will be there to take its place--Cook Islanders will continue to smuggle,cultivate,sell and consume pakalolo and if the police want cooperation from the public on crime they better start showing some cooperation with us because what you are doing now is an abomination--if the police want a two way street in curbing crime, they have to stop there my way or the highway attitude on pakalolo activity.

Steve Boggs.

Response from Trevor Pitt- Police media and strategic advisor

Steven is crediting me with too much influence. I'm but one of a small team of advisors who play a supporting role to the Police leadership.  The cultivation, supply and possession of cannabis is a law enforcement issue for the Police, and will continue to be until legislation says otherwise.  If there is a lobby for decriminalisation, then those efforts ought to be directed to those responsible for making or changing laws - our parliamentarians.