Friday, September 3 2010

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Former Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert....

PRIME MINISTER Kamla Persad-Bissessar yesterday issued an apology to former Acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert for the way he was treated during his tenure by the last administration and for his early departure from the Police Service in controversial circumstances.

“It is very regrettable that Commissioner Philbert was acting for so long,” Persad-Bissessar said at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Coco Resort and Spa, Store Bay, Tobago.

She added, “We cannot remedy that wrong. For a period of time he was left there to languish. He should have gone home as the Commissioner of Police: it makes a difference to his compensation package and so on, so I am sorry but that was before our time.”

Breaking her silence on the controversial circumstances over which Philbert was sent home early, by letter by the Police Service Commission last Friday, Persad-Bissessar said if it is determined that the process resulted in a breach of Philbert’s contract, the Ministry of National Security should pay Philbert compensation.

“The PSC is an independent body and I am sure they would be able to determine if there was a contractual issue and I am not sure if there was a contractual issue,” Persad-Bissessar said. “Mr Philbert had a written contract for a period of time, there was an extension that was granted by the PSC and if there was a breach of contract I am sure that steps will be taken. I have already mentioned to the Minister of National Security that if there is an issue that he (Philbert) should be paid for the month he was not allowed to continue.”

Philbert had originally been granted an extension to September 30. Persad-Bissessar, when asked on what time frame the State will give incoming Canadian Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs to make a dent on crime, said: “yesterday.” (SEE PAGE 5).