By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has requested $20million for the purchase of 80 sport utility vehicles, a request which was objected by Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley.
Dr Rowley said the Ministry of Finance does not have that kind of money and that better care should have been taken of the vehicles currently in use.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the opening of the new Carenage Police Station on Thursday that was constructed at a cost of $53million.
He said, “I took objection because I don’t know that that is the only kind of vehicle that police could drive. Sport utility vehicles. Those vehicles cost more than the average vehicles largely because many of them are four wheeled-drive.”
The Cabinet members suggested that other vehicles be used for the police service, ones that were durable and long lasting.
“We just have to get more out of the vehicles we buy,” Dr Rowley said.
And referring to the selection of a Commissioner of Police, Dr Rowley said his Cabinet was remaining open about the options. Present CoP Gary Griffith has publicly voiced his re-application and challenged others to also put forward an application.
Dr Rowley said, “We in the Cabinet keep an open mind on matters of national interest like that. The Cabinet has a duty to keep an open mind.”
Based on advice from the Police Service Commission, a decision will be made he said.
Dr Rowley also said he was pleased to know that Government may get Opposition’s support if Griffith was reselected for the top cop position.
Griffith’s contract ends on August 17.
