Opposition Spokesman on National Security, Senator Peter Bunting, says the proposal for the police to meet with gang leaders to look at ways to curb crime is sending a bad signal to the country.
He was responding to the suggestion from State Minister in the Ministry of Local Government Homer Davis.
Senator Bunting on Friday said he would not support a meeting with gang leaders as it will, among other things, make the police appear weak.
He insisted it was neither the role of the police nor Ministers of Government to "to be bringing that sort of legitimacy and acknowledging the power and leadership of criminal organisations".
Apart from signalling weakness, Senator Bunting believes such a move would suggest "you don't have the capacity to do the investigations, bring the cases through the criminal justice system and put these men behind bars".
National Security Minister Dr. Horace Chang has rejected Mr. Davis's proposal, declaring that the government would not sit with criminals.
Similarly, the police have already shut down the suggestion, saying there is no room for negotiation with criminals.
However, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has backed the idea.
He believes that if the negotiations are properly organised they can be effective.
