By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE nation finally has an official acting Commissioner of Police.
Deputy Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob received Parliamentary approval on Friday during the House of Representatives sitting.
His appointment was approved following the voting process with 22 Members of Parliament voting for, no one voting against and there were 14 abstentions.
The Opposition did not oppose but abstained.
House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George granted permission for San Fernando East MP Brian Manning who is recovering from Covid-19, to attend the session and vote virtually.
The two nominees for acting deputy commissioners of police, Earla Christopher and Wendell Williams, were also confirmed in the posts following the voting process.
The Opposition also abstained.
Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley moved the motion to have Jacob selected as Acting CoP, a post he held previously but which was deemed unlawful by the High Court.
His nomination was sent to President Paula-Mae Weekes by the Police Service Commission.
National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds supported the motion further speaking about Jacob, whose details were revealed by Dr Rowley.
Hinds said, “He is possessed of a significant academic bent and was crucial in the establishment of the Crime and Problem Analysis Unit. He is possessed of team spiritedness, and is a man of ideas. The use of intelligence to drive activities in the fight against crime is his platform, and he has earned the respect of the members of the police service.”
MP for Oropouche East DrRoodal Moonilal said the Opposition did not have a problem with the nomination of Jacob.
“Mr Jacob has had a long and industrious career in law enforcement and there is few critical remarks one can make about his resume. He has served the country with some distinction and continue to do so in the substantive position of Deputy Commissioner of Police.”
However, the objection was in the process by which his name had come before the Parliament and questioned whether if other individuals were considered for the post.
