A
alexk
Guest
T&T’s newly-appointed Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith said yesterday there will be “less talk and more action” from him as he took over the reigns of the Police Service.
One of his main missions, he said, is to reduce crime, the fear of crime and regain public trust and confidence in the TTPS.
Griffith yesterday gave the assurance that he will not let down the citizens of the country as he is here “to serve my God, my country and the people of this great country.”
“I intend to do my job, serve my country and the people of this great country. I have an enormous task but I am prepared…I can assure you that I will not let you down,” Griffith said.
On Thursday, according to Minister of National Security Stuart Young, Cabinet approved and confirmed Griffith’s terms and conditions. Young thanked Griffith for agreeing and accepting the reasonable package.
Young told members of the media during a media conference held at the ministry’s Temple Court, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain that Griffith’s contract was executed on Thursday night where he officially received his instrument of appointment by the ministry’s permanent secretary Vel Lewis.
In a bid to restore public trust and confidence in the T&T Police Service (TTPS) and to deal with the issue of rogue officers within the service, Griffith said he will be using “a scientific approach.”
He said he intends to use four principles—leadership, good management, measurement of performance and accountabilityto get the job done.
Griffith said he would ensure that police officers “will be made accountable” and their performance measured.
“Those scientific measures that will be used should not only be seen as to discipline a police officer or to suspend or fire them but it can also be used as a yardstick to ensure that the police officer can actually measure, based on his performance, above and beyond the call of duty to ensure reward or promotion,” Griffith said.
“Those are the systems that can be used to improve the police service and weed out the rogue elements that exist,” he said.
Griffith promised that many of the initiatives and policies would be implemented to ensure a reduction in crime.
He also said that he would be working with all stakeholders, inclusive of the citizens “to ensure their fundamental rights are adhered to.”
“I can assure you that my job, my intention is to ensure public trust and confidence is brought back into the service…I have a good working knowledge…there will be much less talking and more action this time around,” Griffith said.
Griffith said he intends to prove himself by displaying maturity and leadership and seeking to engage all in dialogue.
“I have received via WhatsApp and email about 2,000 crime plans from citizens and I will respond to every one. Every citizen has a part to play and I would not ignore any recommendation. I intend to meet with all stakeholders because I certainly do not know everything,” Griffith said.
Asked of operational strategies, Griffith said he preferred not to comment until further notice, however, Young interjected saying that some of that will require new and amended legislation.
“We are actively looking at that with the Attorney General’s Office. In National Security, my opinion is that certain things can be spoken about and some not spoken about. We are already operating where elements are against us…If you are going to war, you are not going to declare what the strategy is,” Young said.
Young, in his statement, thanked outgoing Stephen Williams, who proceeded on a ten-day vacation leave from yesterday, as acting in the position as CoP for the last six years.
“We thank Williams for playing the role and performing the role and doing his utmost best in very trying circumstances. We, as a nation, owe him the gratitude of service for all he has done for the country. He has done it without any complaint and gave his best along with the rest of the police service,” Young said.
Subsequent to the media conference, Griffith was escorted over to the TTPS’ Administration Building where he officially took the Oath Affirmation of Office and Secrecy, as CoP.
The oath was administered at 10.35 am by the acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Administration, Erla Christopher, and witnessed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security, Vel Lewis, acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Crime and Support, Harold Phillip and acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Deodat Dulalchan, in the Commissioner’s Office, 6th Floor.
Griffith is the country’s 12th CoP, after Canadian Dwayne Gibbs, who served from 2010-2012.
Williams, whose substantive rank is that of Deputy Commissioner of Police, acted in the position from August 7, 2012, to August 16, 2018.