Top cop goes on leave tomorrow, acting DCP Phillip to act as commissioner

Acting Police commissioner Stephen Williams will proceed on one month’s leave beginning tomorrow, paving the way for acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip to act in the hot seat pending the return of the top cop in one month’s time.

The Acting COP is expected to travel to Australia to be the recipient of an award from members of the International Women’s Police Association. He will then travel to China to attend in INTERPOL conference for commissioners of police then proceed on a short vacation with loved ones.

Sources revealed that Acting Deputy Commissioner Phillip was also due to proceed on a three-month course in Washington which would have started in a few days’ time and Acting Deputy Commissioner Deodath Dulalchan would have acted as commissioner in the absence of Williams. However sources revealed that Phillip and another Acting Deputy Commissioner Earla Christopher who was supposed to travel to Australia to attend a conference were called to a meeting on Saturday and informed that they were not granted permission to leave the country.

It remained unclear why the leave for the two officers were not granted.

As a result of the new development Assistant Commissioner of Police Surujdean Persad will act as Acting DCP in charge of crime.

Efforts to contact both acting Commissioner Williams and DCP Phillip proved futile. Phillip was reported to be in meetings with the DPP yesterday seeking directions in an investigation against former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Sources also revealed yesterday that prior to proceeding on leave the acting COP sent messages to several senior officers that they were transferred to various sections and branches.