Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has called for urgent legis­lative reform to strengthen the powers of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), as public outrage and confusion continued to grow over Thursday’s announcement that warrants have been issued for Kaia Sealy following the January 20 killing of her husband, Joshua Samaroo.“Trinidad and Tobago is on fire,” she stated in a social media post yesterday. “The Prime Minister must act now; the people of Trinidad and Tobago will accept no less.”Senior legal experts, a criminolo­gist and other political figures also joined the escalating public debate yesterday, with questions being raised about accountability in police-­involved shootings. (• See Pages 4 & 5)Beckles’ comments came one day after the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) announced that acting on the advice of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), arrest warrants had been issued for Sealy, the wife of Samaroo.The TTPS said Sealy was wanted for manslaughter and shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to police officers, arising out of the January 20 incident at the corner of College Road and Bassie Street Extension, St Augustine.The incident drew widespread public attention after video footage circulated online showing police officers firing at the vehicle occupied by Samaroo and Sealy.Samaroo later died, while Sealy was hospitalised.Beckles said the latest developments in the case had deepened national concern about police accountability, transparency and the effectiveness of the ongoing state of emergency (SoE).She said while the Opposition respected the independence of the DPP’s Office, many citizens were questioning the basis for the latest decision.“Society is now confronted with more questions than answers regarding the rationale behind this sudden development,” Beckles said.She said the concerns were heightened because of the number of police-involved shootings that had taken place during the SoE, as well as the ongoing PCA investigation into the Samaroo matter.The Opposition Leader said there was a need to avoid interfering with ongoing criminal proceedings, but added that the State also had a responsibility to ensure that citizens’ rights were protected.“Many have been stunned and are calling for clarity on the outcome and direction of the Samaroo investigation,” she said.Violent crime continuesBeckles also criticised Government’s approach to crime fighting under the SoE, which has remained in effect for several months.She argued that despite expan­ded security powers and hundreds of detentions, violent crime had continued across the country.“Home invasions remained rampant, and murders and violent crime continued unabated in broad daylight,” Beckles said. “The country was left to conclude that both of the States of Emergency had failed.”She also raised concerns about Government’s proposals for Zones of Special Operations, saying the measures could allow expanded powers to security forces without adequate safeguards and oversight mechanisms.According to Beckles, the Government had not provided the public with sufficient information regarding people detained during the SoE, including how many had been charged.She said the Opposition believed the situation highlighted the need for stronger independent oversight of police operations.“In these circumstances, living under a perpetual State of Emergency and witnessing the deeply unsettling developments in the Samaroo matter, the Opposition holds the view that it is imperative for the Government to move swiftly to strengthen the Police Complaints Authority through legislative reform,” Beckles said.She said the PCA should be granted broader investigative powers similar to those held by Jamaica’s Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom).“The rights and privileges of citizens must be protected and guaranteed,” she added.Beckles also questioned whether Government intended to extend the SoE or introduce a new emergency period after the current one expires.She called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in her capacity as chair of the National Security Council, to address several issues surrounding national security and public accountability.The Opposition Leader said the Government retained the authority to bring legislation to Parliament to strengthen the PCA and improve pub­lic confidence in the justice system.The PCA said on Thursday that the investigation into the shooting of Samaroo and Sealy remained ongoing, adding, “Incidents of this nature highlight why the PCA has consistently advocated for the use of body-worn cameras by police officers to provide an objective record of events and help reduce discre­pancies and speculation such as in this matter.”