The Opposition Leader says the Prime Minister has no one else to blame but himself for the current crisis facing the Police Service, following the non-appointment of a substantive Police Commissioner, and the firing of scores of civilian contract employees in administration.
In a strongly worded statement, Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC MP lays the buck squarely at the feet of the Rowley Administration for the uncertainty taking place in the Police Service, and warns that overall citizen security and safety is at stake as a direct result.
The following is the full statement issued by the Opposition Leader on the matter, this morning…
The news that 2,800 police officers are now left in limbo concerning their promotions and appointments is a disaster that concerns all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. This crisis is a ticking time bomb that jeopardizes the entire stability of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service at a time when criminals terrorise citizens more brazenly each passing day.
This crisis was created by the scandalous collapse of the Police Service Commission, which is entirely the making of this Keith Rowley led government. This collapse has prevented the appointment of a Police Commissioner for the first time in our nation’s history, leading to this administrative and security disaster.
I remind the country that it was Keith Rowley who flippantly declared that “Sergeants can continue Sergeanting” without a Police Commissioner. Perhaps Rowley wishes to explain to these 2,800 Police Officers who exactly will now tend to their pending promotions and appointments? Keith Rowley's negligent action towards the TTPS borders on criminal behaviour and can only serve to further demoralise an already frustrated TTPS.
I am also concerned that contract employees hired under former Police Commissioner Gary Griffith have been fired. If there is no Police Commissioner, who is exactly now hiring and firing persons at the TTPS?
The manner in which the Police Service Commission collapsed is already a scandal of the highest order, for which Rowley refuses to take responsibility. Now it appears Rowley is purposefully leading the entire Trinidad and Tobago Police Service down the path to a similar collapse.
As long as this Rowley-led PNM government stays in office, the safety, security and stability of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago remain under threat.