CoP appeals ruling to give journalist info

COMMISSIONER of Police Gary Griffith has formally appealed Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh’s decision that he should give Express journalist Denyse Renne certain information she asked for in a Freedom of Information request.

Griffith’s notice of appeal was filed on Friday by his attorneys, Reginald Armour, SC, Vanessa Gopaul and Chinara Harewood.

The notice sets out five objections to the judge’s findings of fact and three on his findings on the law.

In all there are 12 grounds of appeal faulting Boodoosingh’s ruling in favour of the journalist on September 2.

In his appeal, Griffith is seeking an order to reverse the judge’s directive that he give Renne the information she has asked for by September 11.

Renne sought answers on which firearm users' licence applicants got guns, which retired police were rehired, which soldiers were brought into the Police Service, who got contracts, and how much in salaries was paid to these retired police.

Boodoosingh ordered Griffith to provide some of the answers the journalist sought. In his decision, the judge said Freedom of Information requests must be dealt with promptly as the public has a right to this information in the interest of transparency.

“There is a general duty on public authorities to provide information. This is done to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in the exercise of public functions. Citizens are entitled to ask for information and to be given it unless there is good reason for not doing so,” he added.