SORT head ready to help CoP from the top

HEAD of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) Insp Mark Hernandez said he applied to become a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in a bid to support Police Commissioner Gary Griffith from an executive level.

In response to questions on his decision to apply for the position, Hernandez, 46, said he “saw an opportunity to join the executive of the police and be part of the transformation of the service.”

He added: “I believe I have the leadership skills and experience to implement the strategies and execute the operational plan. We have had many strategic plans before that were not implemented in the past due to the “revolving door.”

"Lack of succession planning has hindered the formation of an energetic, consistent and resilient team, which is needed to be able to support the CoP in his desire to have a world class organisation.”

Hernandez along with acting DCP McDonald Jacob and Supt Andre Norton were nominated by the Police Service Commission for the posts which will have to be confirmed following a Parliamentary debate. Parliament will debate Jacob's nomination this Friday.

Jacob, 59, in a telephone interview on Saturday said he applied to put into practice his years of studies and continue his initiatives that he began since he was appointed acting DCP (Intelligence and Investigations) a year ago.

Jacob has 39 years service has a Masters of Philosophy in criminology and criminal justice.

“I believe that I can contribute tremendously to make a difference in the police service. I am one of the first to be trained in crime and intelligence analysis. I want to be part of the transformation of the police from traditional to contemporary and effective policing.”

Norton, who is in charge of the Police Academy, told Sunday Newsday on Friday that while he did not want to divulge too much about his plans for the police service, his reason for applying was to “serve as an emblem to the police service” while labelling himself as a patriot. He added that he wants to continue serving in an organisation that he has been a part of for almost 36 years.

The 55-year-old has two masters degrees, one in Applied Criminology and Police Management and another in Information Systems Management. He said once confirmed, he will be willing to speak more on his plans for his new role.

Two other candidates who also applied for the post were acting DCP Joanne Archie and Head of Legal Christian Chandler. Chandler could not be reached for comment while Archie said she wished her colleagues all the best in their endeavours and is willing to work with anyone to better the police service.

Hernandez added that performance is his "brand essence" and he is "down in the trenches in the mud doing the work no one else wants to."

Following the announcement that he was short-listed, some commented that he is unfit for the job as SORT members are currently under investigation by the Police Complaints Authority for the deaths of two suspects while in custody for the kidnapping and murder of Andrea Bharatt.

In response to this, he said: “I believe that I am a suitable candidate for the DCP role given my historical performance for the past 23 years. I have received many medals for honourable public service and certificates of commendation. I accepted the challenge to lead the team at the SORT and in the past 29 months, rescued several kidnapped victims for ransom; rescued many human trafficking victims; partnered with homicide and other agencies to arrest many murder suspects in Trinidad and all the murder suspects in Tobago in 2020 and recovered upwards of $25m from proceeds of crime.”