RHONDOR DOWLAT-ROSTANT
Commissioner of Police (CoP) Gary Griffith has confirmed that he will reapply for the post of leading the Police Service.
Griffith said yesterday his three-year term has been a tough one because of personal attacks on him and his family but promises to be stronger and better in his duties if re-appointed.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday which he said was his last in his current three-year term, Griffith said he did not take the job to gain friends.
“Whether you like me or don’t like me, I never came to a job for friends. The day anyone does something to please people or be popular you will lose that calibre of leadership. It’s not trying to be popular. It’s doing the right thing,” Griffith said.
“Yes there are polls where 80 per cent odd of the population has supported me, and I wish to thank you. Some of the 20 per cent did not want change and sometimes people benefit from chaos, as it presented opportunities. So by me stopping their actions and business, obviously they will not be happy with me. Some of the haters mobilized and used a smear campaign, which was unfortunate. But to those haters, yes you have been a very big avenue to help me make this decision. So to all of the persons who hated me, discredited me, tried to attack my family, demonize me, as I stated I am an independent man. So after speaking to my wife, she has given me permission, to state that I intend to reapply for the post of CoP,” he added.
Griffith also thanked the “hate the police squad” and those who he said spent the last three years attacking him.
“It is because of you, you have strengthened me and my resolve to reapply. Because there has to be some good reason why it is you hate the Police Service so much and it’s definitely not to the benefit of the country. So to you who so badly want to see me out. I wish to thank you in helping me make my decision in reapplying.”
“If you could be so desperate to attack me every few days and now even my family, I certainly will not give you the opportunity. It shows there is a strong underground element that wants me out and I will not give you the opportunity to destroy the country. My family is definitely made of sterner stuff,” Griffith said.
Griffith even encouraged the social media advisors to apply for the CoP position given the fact that they were outspoken enough to say what he ought or ought not to do.
“There are few attacked and demonized as I have been and I refuse to stay down, I refuse to surrender, I refuse to walk away. The same way I have decided to continue to offer my services to this country. To those who hate me...your hatred to me and the police is the fuel that I use and I wish to thank you and to those who have been telling me for the last three years, what I can and cannot do, cause we did have social media experts for the last three years. This is your chance. I ask you to apply.”
Griffith was appointed Commissioner on Friday 3 August 2018.
