By: Staff Writer
September 21, 2021
Embattled Trinidad Commissioner of Police asked not to return to work, turns around and lawyers up.
Gary Griffith, Trinidad and Tobago Commissioner of Police, retained Ramesh Lawerence Maharaj S.C among a barge of senior attorneys to contest The Police Service Commission (PSC) of Trinidad and Tobago after Griffith was asked by letter by the commission to not return to work.
In its letter to Griffith dated September 17, the PSC determined that it was not in the public interest or the interest of the Police Service to have Griffith on the job while retired Justice Stanley John is conducting his investigation.
The investigation stems from reports that the process for the issuance of Firearm User’s Licences, a process in which the Commission is central, has been contaminated by corrupt elements—in that applicants are being asked to pay not only for expediting licences, but in order to receive FULs.
These investigations are doubled up on Griffith amid other challenges he and his head of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Mark Hernandez, and allegations slinging left and right against them in a firestorm of sordid affairs.
Claims of a conspiracy against the duo has been looming for several months leading up to Griffith’s reappointment, which he claimed to have in early August, thus leading to the PSC telling Griffith to not return to work until this investigation is over.
Persons close to the situation have said that there is a favourite to replace Griffith that has senior political backing in Trinidad and Tobago. However, Griffith is seen as the people’s favourite and very popular with the citizenry, leaving the power political structure in a quandary on what exactly to do.
Griffith, who is on vacation leave but was told not to resume duty when his leave expires on Monday, is challenging the PSC, saying its latest move to block him was “illegal, irrational and in breach of the rules of natural justice, null, void and of no legal effect.”
The matter is now becoming highly politically charged as a team of attorneys led by former attorney general Anand Ramlogan, SC, filed an interpretation summons on behalf of political and social activist Ravi Balgobin Maharaj for the court to determine whether the PSC had followed proper procedure.
The reason for this was that based on Section 123(4) of the Constitution, for the commission to make such an appointment, it first had to submit a notification to the President, who would in turn have it forwarded to the House of Representatives for approval, the attorneys argued.
Justice John, in a letter to Mr Griffith o Section 123 (4), which Caribbean Magazine Plus has obtained a copy, states that the Justice acknowledges that Griffith did in fact have authority from the PSC to the President for his appointment.
Where this stands is now a highly political one as yet again, the Dr Keith Rowley administration has been called to act on the problems of a high ranking public servant.