Griffith could beright man for job

THE EDITOR: I was a little concerned reading recent news reports that the Government may give Gary Griffith the nod for Police Commissioner as there are a few negatives on Griffith’s public record.

Firstly, Griffith was a national security adviser to the previous Prime Minister when the decision was taken to abandon the offshore patrol vessels in favour of the alternative auxiliary patrol vessels. I believe this decision has left our borders open to drug smugglers and gunrunners, particularly from Venezuela.

In addition, the fact that Griffith was a part of the PP government, some of whom may be the subject of police investigations in the future, does not bode well for him becoming commissioner.

So why would a senior government official tip Griffith as the government’s choice? I decided to do a little research on my own.

Firstly, Griffith scored the second highest on the PSC evaluation of the applicants who actually applied for the position. The Prime Minister has often said we should not politicise crime and therefore I believe a strong candidate for commissioner should not be disqualified for his current or previous political allegiance.

In addition, Griffith was fired as Minister of National Security near the end of the PP government’s term for standing on principle. In his words, “The fact of the matter is that there were situations to show me all the wrong reasons, what would happen to me if I speak the truth.” Griffith must be commended for his honesty and integrity even at the risk of losing his job, characteristics that would serve him well as the chief law enforcement official.

The current process for selection of a Police Commissioner is extremely time-consuming. Since Dwayne Gibbs and Jack Ewatski quit in 2012, TT hasn’t had a substantive Police Commissioner. If this process doesn’t result in someone’s selection it is possible that several years may pass again before we have another shortlist.

I believe now that my prior distaste for Griffith was clouded by his public persona and politics. In the past most commissioners have risen from the ranks of the Police Service. Perhaps it’s time to give an outsider with a fresh pair of eyes a chance. Maybe Griffith is just the right man for the job after all.

OSEI BENN, D’Abadie