Thursday 2nd October 2014 Ricardo Gladiator Welch COP WILLIAMS BLAST PP CABINET IN BUY OUT SCANDAL Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams yesterday blasted a decision by Cabinet to buy out the leave of Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Dick, saying the decision not only undermines the Police Service but has serious repercussions for the organisation in terms of morale. Cabinet decided to buy out Dick’s leave last Thursday. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was in New York when the decision was taken and Labour Minister Errol McLeod was then acting as Prime Minister at the Cabinet sitting. However, Cabinet made the decision despite Williams refusing to support the idea. In a telephone interview with the T&T Guardian yesterday, National Security Minister Gary Griffith, who is expected to return from China today, said before the decision was taken he had a conversation with Williams, informing him of the decision to buy out Dick’s leave. “I went to the acting police commissioner to get his view on the matter and he stated he was not in agreement with such a situation... he rejected the recommendation made by Cabinet. “He said such a situation would affect the morale and promotion process in the Police Service and he did not want this to occur in the organisation,” Griffith said. Griffith said he relayed Williams’s sentiments to the Cabinet but the decision was taken anyway. On how he viewed this decision, especially as National Security Minister, Griffith said his personal view was irrelevant. “Cabinet took a decision and I adhere to the decision. I have a duty to abide by Cabinet. Mr Dick was seen as very instrumental as he had worked on very prominent investigations, including being part of the Dana Seetahal murder probe,” Griffith added. Asked who recommended Dick’s leave be bought out, he said he could not divulge that information. He said upon his return to T&T today, he intended to meet with the Police Service Social and Welfare Association, who have also expressed concern about the matter. It was also rumoured that Dick got the nod because he was a relative of a senior government minister. Asked about that, Griffith said he had no such information. Williams, who yesterday made it clear he had nothing against Dick, said there were other suitably qualified police who have been waiting to be promoted. “Clearly, this decision taken by Cabinet undermines the administration of the Police Service,” he added. He said he had not been officially told by Government of the final decision on Dick but had heard about it from the media. “My position is not about Dick... it is not about any specific individual. I would not recommended the leave of any of the executive team be bought out. There are many eligible persons who can fill that position,” Williams said. “This is a matter of principle. The association raised the issue of promotion many times and other people’s entitlement to be promoted,” he added. He said it was a fact that when a member of the executive went on pre-retirement leave that position could be filled. “It now deprives a person of that opportunity... again it is about a principle and the expectation to be promoted,” Williams added. But the acting top cop said he had no choice but to abide by the decision. “There is no way I can do anything about it. I cannot overturn a Cabinet decision,” he said. Political interference —association Police Service Social and Welfare Association president, Insp Anand Ramesar, said the decision to buy out Dick’s leave reeked of political interference. “It is an affront to the office of the commissioner of police, which must be impartial and at all times insulated from political interference. “The organisation does not support the decision because the Prime Minister will be sacrificing the morale of the majority to the unnecessary outcome for one person,” Ramesar said. He said if Persad-Bissessar failed to rescind the decision the association would take the matter to court. “Some 6,000-plus police officers are waiting on the Prime Minister to correct this catastrophic decision,” Ramesar added. He said the issue of the buying out vacation leave had been sufficiently discussed with the general membership and it was not welcomed. “In the Police Service in recent times, the association has observed clandestine buying out of vacation leave of certain police officers. “We have also taken note that such action is not supported by any existing policy and are actions taken by the Government without consultation with the police commissioner, the association or the chief personnel officer,” Ramesar said. He said in many instances there have not been any justification for the need to buy out leave, noting it was often “coloured with favouritism.” “Many of these officers whose leave have been bought out do nothing different from another officer. “A few weeks ago the association met with several government ministers and clearly articulated the view of the membership and also that such decisions interfered with terms and conditions and was a further deterioration of the low moral and disenchantment when it comes to promotion,” Ramesar said. Secretary Insp Michael Seales questioned whether Dick was being groomed to take over when Williams’ contract ends next January. McLeod must answer—PNM Also contacted yesterday, People’s National Movement (PNM) public relations officer Faris Al-Rawi said McLeod owed the nation an explanation. He said: “This Cabinet does not have the best track record to speak about. Instances of the bypassing of procedures, particularly in the Police Service, are a matter of public record. “The PNM has approached the Government specifically in relation to reformation of Police Service, starting with a manpower audit and with officers in line for promotion. “The Cabinet management of this issue is evidence of this Government being clueless of this essential service.”
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 07:59:56 +0000
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