By Sue-Ann Wayow
POLICE Commissioner Gary Griffith apologises to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Trinidad and Tobago.
Griffith has apologised for his comments concerning police failure to take action against citizens involved in a poolside party at Bayside towers, Cocorite last month.
Griffith speaking during a police press conference at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain said he sent a written apology to the prime minister.
Rowley had called on the CoP to take action against the group following public outcry saying no-one was above the law.
Griffith said no police officer goes out of their way to target a certain group and leave other groups and he himself arrested and charged a family member several months ago in Westmoorings.
He said, “My strong degree of making sure that I serve my country and its citizens, as well as looking after the wellbeing of the police officers, gave the impressions that we were doing the wrong thing, and that could have affected public confidence and trust with the police service, and that I had to ensure was not done.”
Griffith said, “Even though what I said was accurate, it was in no way appropriate for me to make such a comment that could allude to the comment I made about the Prime Minister. Since then, I have written officially to the Honourable Prime Minister and I have apologised, and I wish to openly let the public know that I do apologise for the comments that I have made.”
He added, “Again, because of my strong degree of passion, but that is no excuse, it was unacceptable. I apologise to the country for the comments that I made. I wrote officially to the Honourable Prime Minister and just by the way, I was not asked to send any letter of apology. Nobody insisted and directed me to apologise, this is how I was trained, if it is I am wrong, I am wrong.”
And the Commissioner said he remains dedicated to ensuring that constitutional rights were not infringed.
And Griffith will not be going on vacation from Friday as planned.
Griffith who has not taken a vacation since his appointment as Commissioner in 2018 was planning to go to Ireland with his family.
However, the recent incident involving police officers and millions of dollars requires his attention.
Speaking at a police press conference on Thursday, Griffith said discussions were held within the last 24 hours with Minister of National Security Stuart Young as well as Police Service Commission and it was decided that now would not be the best time for him to take leave.
Griffith said, “Because of the present situation, that is ongoing as it pertains to a very serious investigation that may involve senior officers in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, it may be not the right time for me to go on vacation. Other matters may require my attention. I will not be going on leave tomorrow and I will be back in office until further notice.”
Presently, there is an ongoing investigation concerning video footage of an officer attached to an arm of national security stuffing cash into his bullet proof vest while conducting a raid at a house in La Horquetta.
And Griffith will not be going on vacation from Friday as planned.
Griffith who has not taken a vacation since his appointment as Commissioner in 2018 was planning to go to Ireland with his family.
However, the recent incident involving police officers and millions of dollars requires his attention.
Speaking at a police press conference on Thursday, Griffith said discussions were held within the last 24 hours with Minister of National Security Stuart Young as well as Police Service Commission and it was decided that now would not be the best time for him to take leave.
Griffith said, “Because of the present situation, that is ongoing as it pertains to a very serious investigation that may involve senior officers in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, it may be not the right time for me to go on vacation. Other matters may require my attention. I will not be going on leave tomorrow and I will be back in office until further notice.”
Presently, there is an ongoing investigation concerning video footage of an officer attached to an arm of national security stuffing cash into his bullet proof vest while conducting a raid at a house in La Horquetta.
