SUMMON and invite are two words that are very different in meaning and incorrect use can result in miscommunication.
This is according to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) who sought to clarify information what was posted on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s Facebook page.
The post that was made public on Monday stated, “Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith and Acting Deputy Commissioners of Police Forde and Jacob attended a meeting this morning summoned by Prime Minister Dr the Hon Keith Rowley.
“The Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi and Minister of National Security the Hon Stuart Young also attended the 10 am meeting which was held at the Diplomatic Centre.”
A photo of the meeting was added to the post.
In a subsequent media release on the TTPS Facebook page, it stated, “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) advises that Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith was invited, and not summoned to a meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, this morning.
The TTPS pointed out that the invitation came through the Minister of National Security, for the CoP, as well as the Attorney General and the two Deputy Commissioners of Police, Jayson Forde and Mc Donald Jacob to attend.”
The TTPS stated, “The TTPS says it is unfortunate that the Communications Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister does not understand the difference between “invited” and “summoned”.
It stated that it was also unfortunate that the Communications Unit at the OPM could try and put the Prime Minister in such a bad light, when that certainly was not the atmosphere and purpose of the meeting at the Diplomatic Centre this morning.
The TTPS notes that the meeting was very cordial, and now the emphasis will be on all parties moving forward to ensure that the Public Health Ordinance regulations are adhered to by members of the public during the Covid-19 Pandemic.”
