By Sue-Ann Wayow
MINISTER of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds is mixing politics with independent state institutions and his actions must be condemned.
This is according to former police commissioner Gary Griffith.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Griffith said Hinds gave a politicised speech at a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) press conference at the Police Administration Building in San Fernando and it should have never taken place.
Deputy Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob also attended the conference on Tuesday.
Hinds used the opportunity to comment on the People’s National Movement (PNM) failure to garner the votes of Tobagonians in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) elections on Monday saying that the PNM remained a giant political party and it will be the PNM to bring stability, growth and development to Trinidad and Tobago.
Griffith said, “This should never have been allowed, as someone should have explained to the minister that this wasn’t the place and time for such a speech, since it would have given the wrong impression to the citizens, that the independent body which is the TTPS, was somehow in agreement, or in alignment with a political entity.”
He added, “More than that, Minster Hinds’ words were extremely partisan, extolling the greatness of his political party, further blurring the line between the TTPS, and the political party presently in power.”
Griffith said Hinds seemed not to understand his role as minister as he continues to host press conferences with officers of the independent institutions.
He also compared him to former national security minister Stuart Young who is now the Minister of Energy and Energy Industries.
“I too had issues with Minister Hinds not understanding his role as Minister of National Security, which was in stark contrast to previous Minister of National Security Stuart Young, who never even attempted to cross any lines,” Griffith said.
Griffith said while he understood that Hinds may be overwhelmed given the crime situation, citizens should reject his apparent political interference.
“I hope in future Minister Hinds makes a better effort to maintain the independence of the TTPS, and if not, the TTPS’ top brass should reaffirm the TTPS’ independence by explaining to the Minister the boundary that must not be crossed,” Griffith said.
Moonilal: Hinds out of place
Opposition Member of Parliament Dr Roodal Moonilal also said Hinds was out of place to make such comments at a police press conference.
Dr Moonilal said, “Hinds delivered a flamingly biased and opinionated speech at an official State event in which he sat between the leaders of the Prisons Services and Police Service. Even by Hinds’ pathetically low standards and well-known lack of decorum, this was a gross example of impropriety and misconduct, since it brought two vital enforcement agencies into the political realm.”
Dr Moonilal continued, “The Prisons and Police Services are critical institutions of law and order, and must be respected as fiercely independent and politically impartial.”
He called on the minister to apologise to the leaders of both the TTPS and the Prisons Service and to the population.
“Failure to do so would confirm his ill intent to subvert and weaken the country’s law enforcement organisations,” Dr Moonilal said.
