CoP on end of his contract: Wait and see after August 18

FOUR months before his contract comes to an end, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith says he is unsure of his next step in life, but said he has served the country well for about two decades, and whatever he decides will be for the betterment of TT.

During a police media briefing on Thursday, Griffith said those wondering if he will be interested in remaining Police Commissioner after August 18 will have to wait and see.

“I would tell you that my tour of duty ends on August 18. I signed a contract for three years. I have given three years service to the country in that capacity.

"I have (also) served the country as minister of national security and security adviser.”

He added: “I spent 17 years in the military, from aide-de-camp to the President, military attaché to the prime minister. Serving the UN in different capacities.

"I was the youngest officer during the attempted coup. So I had a good tour of duty serving my country.

"I do not know what the future holds from August 18 and beyond.

"I can state that whatever I do is always to try and see how best I can make this a better country. My focus right now is to remain commissioner and do the best I can do in an impartial manner until my contract ends.”

Griffith was the the first confirmed police commissioner since the abrupt resignation of Canadian Dwayne Gibbs in 2012, 14 months before his three-year contract was due to end. Gibbs and his deputy Jack Ewatski both left TT abruptly after then national security minister Jack Warner expressed dissatisfaction with their performance.

In the five years in between, James Phillibert and Stephen Williams acted in the position, with Williams spending six years in an acting role.

He was one of the candidates vying for the top cop position that the Government eventually gave to Griffith, the fourth person to be presented to Parliament for consideration.

After Griffith’s term ends, the Police Service Commission will have to advertise the position; wait for applications; wait for a hired consultancy firm to sift through the applications; compile a merit list; and then submit names to the President to submit to Parliament for it to decide.