Griffith leaves TT

Incoming Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith left the country yesterday afternoon for an unknown destination, accompanied by his wife, Nicole, and son.

Griffith, who had been planning a vacation with his family but deferred it so he could be in the country when his nomination as CoP was debated last Monday, decided to go aboard and return when a contract is offered to him.

On Friday, National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said the terms of the contract were still to be determined, but when that was done it would be offered to Griffith. He could not say when the contract would be ready, only that he was seeking advice on the package.

Before leaving, Griffith told the Sunday Newsday on Friday that his parents had left him with enough to take care of himself and his family, and he decided to apply for the job of CoP to give back to the country. He said the salary and perks did not mean a whole lot to him as a result.

Sources close to Griffith, who lives in Moka, Maraval, said he had not yet been contacted by the hierarchy of the Police Service to offer him congratulations, or to make arrangements for a handover.

Sunday Newsday was told that only acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Deodat Dulalchan and president of the Police Social and Welfare Association Insp Michael Seales contacted Griffith and assured they would give him 100 per cent support. Government rejected Dulalchan as the CoP nominee saying the Police Service Commission should not have offered him the post since he had applied to be a DCP. There are also concerns that a security detail has not been assigned to Griffith, especially since he made bold statements about his intended plan to clean up alleged corruption – both in the police and government ministries over the award of contracts to gang leaders – and other statements about ensuring that big fish would be caught.

Griffith said he intended to meet regularly with the National Security Council and make some recommendations which would see corrupt practices being addressed.

Sunday Newsday understands an officer advised Griffith to be cautious.

Dillon, on Friday, told Sunday Newsday the police service was run by acting CoP Stephen Williams and he had full authority to decide how it would be run. He said only Williams could decide whether security should be provided for Griffith.

Sources said when there was an incoming CoP, there were preparations for when a handover could take place. That handover is supposed to be carried out by Williams.

When contacted yesterday, Williams told Sunday Newsday, “I have no comment.”

Williams will go on ten days’ leave from from Wednesday, and he is officially due to retire in mid-September.