Soca Warriors Online Discussion Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: zuluwarrior on February 16, 2011, 07:35:25 AM
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http://www.livestream.com/power102fm
Anil Roberts is in the station right now you can listen or call in or check the station message board with your concerns .
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Steups!!! I would normally listen at this hour but I cyar stand to hear Anil and he BS right now.......
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Girl with these Polticians for me is rather or prefer they all tell lies you do not know who is telling the truth , I do not like them non of them . .
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First I do not believe notting this guy says , he said the police men who was Guarding the PM at her house down south left her house 4 o clock this mourning unguarded , did not tell her they was leaving and her windows was open .
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First I do not believe notting this guy says , he said the police men who was Guarding the PM at her house down south left her house 4 o clock this mourning unguarded , did not tell her they was leaving and her windows was open .
Like he was guarding she house too? lol
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Bakes I am asking myself if what Anal Roberts said was true? how come it not on the front page of todays news papers, I dont want to believe that he went on national radio and lie on the police .
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By NALINEE SEELAL Thursday, February 17 2011
Soldiers are to now guard Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her family at their private home in Phillipine, after two Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) officers assigned to the private residence abandoned their posts early Monday morning.
The Prime Minister, her husband Gregory, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren reside at the home and they were asleep when the two GEB officers left at about 4.30 am.
It is reported that the GEB officers slipped away because they “fell ill” and went to seek medical attention.
On Monday, hundreds of police officers came down with the mysterious “blue flu” and also did not report for work yesterday. Their sick-out is being linked to their demands for a 40-percent increase in salaries which the Prime Minister has said the Government cannot afford to pay.
Soldiers had to be assigned to assist Special Branch officers, also on security detail at the Prime Minister’s home, when the GEB officers left suddenly on Monday.
Government and Defence Force officials yesterday confirmed soldiers will remain on duty at the private residence to protect the Prime Minister and her family. Special Branch officers are to continue to provide security at the home as well.
However, GEB officers will no longer be assigned to any security detail at the home, Capt Gary Griffith, National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister told Newsday yesterday.
“My personal recommendation is that the Defence Force should remain there until further notice, because if the situation repeats itself, we will not be sure if the Prime Minister’s life will again be placed at risk, and as far as I am concerned, the security of the Prime Minister was breached because of the unacceptable behaviour of these law enforcement officers. I have given specific instructions that GEB officers not return to the Prime Minister’s house until this matter is resolved,” Griffith said.
When the two GEB officers left the Prime Minister’s private home, the two Special Branch officers who remained on duty contacted Griffith.
Griffith informed National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy of the actions of two GEB officers. Sandy, in turn, contacted Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier Roland Maunday, who immediately sent two soldiers from the Defence Force intelligence unit to the Prime Minister’s family home.
Newsday understands the Prime Minister has expressed confidence in the new security arrangements for her family home, which Griffith expects to remain in effect permanently.
Griffith criticised the two GEB officers for their actions.
“This is the first time in 20 years that a Prime Minister has been left defenceless. I consider this to be unacceptable, that any law enforcement officer would abandon their post, especially while securing a Prime Minister, because one of the fundamental rules of law enforcement officers is that they do not leave their posts unless properly relieved,” said Griffith.
In light of the “sick-out” by the GEB officers on Monday and Tuesday, soldiers have been assigned to the home of Attorney General Anand Ramlogan who also resides at SS Erin Road, Phillipine. They took up duties there on Tuesday.
Maunday yesterday confirmed soldiers have been assigned to the homes of the Prime Minister and Attorney General, and added, “Unless I am otherwise directed by the Minister of National Secuirty, my officers will remain at the two residences.”
The Defence Force currently provides security at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence and the Diplomatic Centre at La Fantasie, St Ann’s. The Defence Force also guards the residence of President George Maxwell Richards but his security detail was affected by the police sick-out as no police outriders reported for escort duty.
GEB officers are usually assigned to carry out guard duties at the homes of some of the country’s highest office holders. GEB head Snr Supt Brian Headley said he was unable to comment on the matter when contacted by Newsday. A senior GEB officer however claimed officers were sent to the Prime Minister’s home yesterday, but Griffith denied this late yesterday.
President of Police Social and Welfare Association Sgt Anand Ramesar yesterday defended the two GEB officers and said they left the Prime Minister’s home to seek medical attention.
“The information that I have does not accord with any reports that the officers who were attached to the Prime Minister’s residence had abandoned their posts. My understanding is that those officers fell ill and were removed by their superiors having regard to the lengthy hours they were on duty, it is not unreasonable to contemplate that they could have fallen ill,” said Ramesar.
He added the GEB officers had worked for more than six hours while on duty at the Prime Minister’s home.
“The issue is the inability of the managers who would have indicated to the public that they had contingencies to deal with the situation. If a police officer falls ill and is heavily armed, he is in a special position and requires immediate removal from duty and must be taken to seek medical attention,” said Ramesar.
It could not be confirmed if the two GEB officers sought medical attention at San Fernando General Hospital, or whether they have been granted sick leave.
Newsday understands while no action has been taken against the two GEB officers, Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs was expected to receive a preliminary report on the incident from the Special Branch before determining if to proceed with a full probe.
When Newsday visited the home of the Prime Minister yesterday, several workmen, some driving backhoes, were seen entering the compound. Late last year, the Prime Minister disclosed final works are taking place at her home which she and her husband have been building for several years.
There appeared to be security personnel dressed in plain clothes on the compound.
GEB officers usually wear a blue sweater with the markings “GEB” and a blue pants.
However, none of those officers were seen at the Prime Minister’s home yesterday.
In 2007, then prime minister Patrick Manning hired a private security firm which was set up under the Office of the Prime Minister to provide guard duties at the official residence at La Fantasie, St Ann’s.
Special Branch officers played a limited role in the security at the official residence and only provided escort duties for Manning on official engagements.
Sources revealed Manning was more comfortable with the private security officers, which consisted mainly of officers from Nigeria and Ghana.
His town house in Sumadh Gardens, San Fernando was protected by GEB officers, however Manning rarely spent time there while he was prime minister.
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So d SB men was there and she was still defenceless?
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Honestly speaking, I am not UNC, but to leave the PM house unguarded is wrong. I am in favour of the Police getting the pay raise. I do not think they getting 40 percent. But a line has to be drawn. That is the PM of TT. You have to respect that position. If somebody had gone and kill a member of her family? Nah, that eh right, if that is true.
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Honestly speaking, I am not UNC, but to leave the PM house unguarded is wrong. I am in favour of the Police getting the pay raise. I do not think they getting 40 percent. But a line has to be drawn. That is the PM of TT. You have to respect that position. If somebody had gone and kill a member of her family? Nah, that eh right, if that is true.
The security detail should not have participated in this action period.
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Gary Quits UNC
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/GARY-QUITS--UNC-214334681.html
National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister, Gary Griffith, has resigned from the United National Congress (UNC).
He has however refused to give any reason for his resignation.
The other high profile member to resign recently from the UNC was Jack Warner.
Griffith reportedly wrote to the UNC’s general secretary Dave Tancoo on June 7, 2013, advising that he was resigning with immediate effect. The letter was also copied to political leader of the UNC, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
“I still remain the National Security Adviser to the National Security Council,“ Griffith told the Express yesterday.
Assuring his commitment to the Government, even as he cuts ties with the party, Griffith said “my focus is on continuing to acquire the best policies to provide the citizens of this country with their most fundamental right, which is that of security.”
He said he wanted to make it “categorically clear that he is still supportive of the People’s Partnership Government and the Prime Minister”.
Griffith, who has been vocal on a number of issues relating to the Government in the past, recently criticised the Government’s protocol blunder during the three-day State visit in early June of the President of China , Xi Jinping.
He submitted his resignation the day before he publicly criticised the country’s lack of proper protocol arrangements for the visiting head of state.
Griffith, in an e-mail dated June 8 entitled “Poor excuses for protocol faux-pas” which was reported in the Express, said there were too many glaring and unforced glitches, not only at the welcoming ceremony at the Piarco International Airport for the Chinese President but also at the State banquet.
In his blistering attack on those responsible for the protocol arrangements, he stated: “The number of blunders are too numerous to singularly mention. However the State banquet, which would have put even those completely ignorant of protocol training in tailspin: from the lack of master of ceremony to the non-announcement of the arrival of their Excellencies; to the non-announcement of the national anthem of China and the national anthem of Trinidad and Tobago to the lack of interpretation of the toast; to the questionable seating arrangements; to the last minute invitation of the Leader of the Opposition.”
This action is said to have angered some within the Government.
Griffith got his first taste of politics in 2005 when he joined the Progressives slate of the UNC, led by former National Security Minister Jack Warner, which contested against Team Patriot led by then political leader Basdeo Panday. Warner contested the position of deputy political leader of the UNC.
Other members of the Progressives slate were Sadiq Baksh, for the post of party organiser, Manohar Ramsaran, regional representative-Central; and Gerald Yetming who contested vice chairmanship of the party.
Panday was elected unopposed, for the position of chairman while Dookeran was also elected, unopposed, as political leader of the party in the October 2nd, 2005 internal election described as one of the most bruising elections.
No stranger to controversy, Griffith was later suspended from his post of North West representative, and sources said that following Dookeran’s break with the UNC and subsequent formation of the Congress of the People (COP), Griffith was a key figure in the party, along with his wife Nicole Dyer-Griffith, who is COP’s deputy chairman and a former minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Communication.
But while it was unclear as to when he rejoined the UNC, Griffith in 2010 was appointed National Security adviser to the Prime Minister, and has always been seen as a close aide, who would accompany the Prime Minister on her overseas travels.
Sources told the Express that Griffith is “disenchanted” and “fed-up” with the party and its several missteps and “sycophants.”
Griffith is currently under investigation by the police in relation to a series of Section 34 e-mails allegedly implicating the Prime Minister, the Attorney General, and the Minister of Local Government in a conspiracy to do wrong. He has since handed over his electronic devices to the leader investigator in the probe, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mervyn Richardson.
He is expected to make a full disclosure about the reasons for his resignation soon.
This has me wondering. I always thought that the positions on the National Security Council were ex officio. Apparently this means then that appointments to the national security council can be made at a PM's fancy?
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Hahahaha
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Gary quits UNC......again.
Ah wonder where he heading to next.......the Green ship of hope perhaps??
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Gary quits UNC......again.
Ah wonder where he heading to next.......the Green ship of hope perhaps??
Doubt. Dahs sure loss wuk.....which he doesnt want..else he would have resigned his advisor role. Plus this was like June 7th before Jack decided to go green. Still...interesting.
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Gary Griffith: Illegals Will be deported.
By Geisha Kowlessar (Guardian).
People trying to enter Trinidad and Tobago with bogus credentials and trickery will be denied entry and sent back to their home countries, says National Security Minister Gary Griffith. Griffith made the comment yesterday as he warned foreigners that if they did not meet this country’s strict entry requirements they would not be allowed in.
The minister, in a telephone interview, said there were some 30,000 illegal immigrants, including those from Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and other Caribbean countries and various parts of Africa, living and working in T&T, who were not paying taxes and denying locals of job opportunities. Immigration sources said yesterday that they also intend to locate illegal immigrants in T&T and deport them to their respective countries.
Asked to elaborate on his plans to tackle illegal immigrants, Griffith said he preferred not to comment, as there were sensitive talks now taking place between T&T and Jamaica regarding the recent deportation of 13 Jamaicans at Piarco International Airport. The deportation has led to angry reaction from Jamaica’s business groups and citizens, who have launched social media campaigns calling for a boycott of goods from this country and next year’s Carnival festivities in T&T.
To placate the situation, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran has been invited by his Jamaican counterpart, Arnold J Nicholson, to talks aimed at resolving the dispute. Yesterday, Griffith said T&T was not being “obnoxious” in blocking those who failed to produce valid documents at the ports of entry. “We cannot continue to have a situation where people are coming into the country and robbing the State of millions by not paying taxes,” he said.
“What is even worse is that T&T citizens who are in dire need of a job cannot get one because these people are robbing them the opportunity to do so.” He maintained there were many flocking to T&T from other Caribbean countries using the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) policy as a means of doing so, but said this must be halted since many of them arrived here although they did not meet the requirements. “This is clearly a worrying and frightening situation for T&T,” Griffith said.
“The immigration officers will continue to do their duty and those who do not meet the necessary requirements will be sent back...It’s as clear as that.” “Those coming under CSME should already have knowledge about the programme before entering a country. The onus is on them to be aware of the guidelines, so when they reach immigration all their documents would be in order.”
He said he was taking the stance, not only to protect the rights of citizens, but also the welfare of foreigners. “If someone slipped through immigration and ends up in Trinidad and they have no job to rely on, then they could end up on the streets and this could also lead to a life of crime,” Griffith said. “This is definitely what we do not want in Trinidad. The problem is multifaceted and we have to deal with it as soon as possible.”
The issue continues to gain regional and international attention and was yesterday raised in the editorial of Jamaica’s Gleaner newspaper, which said the two main issues to be looked at were trade and the free movement of people within the region. “On the matter of trade, the quarrel is primarily with Trinidad and Tobago, the community’s strongest and major manufacturer. More than 90 per cent of our near US$1 billion trade deficit with Caricom is with Trinidad and Tobago,” the Gleaner said.
“Jamaica’s manufacturers have primary complaints against the Trinidadians: that Port-of-Spain uses its domestically available cheap energy to subsidise its enterprises, that it cheats on Caricom rules-oforigin requirements, and that it uses non-tariff barriers to deny access to its markets by Jamaicans.”
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The minister, in a telephone interview, said there were some 30,000 illegal immigrants, including those from Jamaica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana and other Caribbean countries and various parts of Africa, living and working in T&T, who were not paying taxes and denying locals of job opportunities. Immigration sources said yesterday that they also intend to locate illegal immigrants in T&T and deport them to their respective countries.
Either restrict your analysis to regional territories or state a comprehensive assessment of the situation. Africa isn't the only continent of origin implicated in this issue. Perhaps, it would be more helpful to include the others ... or is that inconvenient?
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Interesting!!
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How are these people being hired without the proper documentation. He owns a security firm, he's probably hiring these same individuals and not paying the appropriate taxes etc. They love to play smart with foolishness. :frustrated: :frustrated:
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No mention of the South Americans?
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No mention of the South Americans?
he cyah mention dem girl..you want dem big pappies to riot or wha
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No mention of the South Americans?
he cyah mention dem girl..you want dem big pappies to riot or wha
Which remind mih,, is long long time I eh hear ah peep outta Anil mout
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No mention of the South Americans?
he cyah mention dem girl..you want dem big pappies to riot or wha
Which remind mih,, is long long time I eh hear ah peep outta Anil mout
it full. a strict pescetarian diet
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No mention of the South Americans?
he cyah mention dem girl..you want dem big pappies to riot or wha
Which remind mih,, is long long time I eh hear ah peep outta Anil mout
it full. a strict pescetarian diet
Something fishy here.
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Unmanned ‘spying‘ vehicles soon—Gary
Published:
Friday, May 9, 2014
Gail Alexander
Text Size:
Government is considering procuring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to aid surveillance and early warning systems and is also getting hovercraft for other law enforcement agencies, says National Security Minister Gary Griffith. At yesterday’s weekly government media conference he said Government was providing financial, logistical and administrative support for law enforcement for them to battle crime. He said Government was moving to get one supplier of helicopters to replace the system where three suppliers provide such equipment. He said the current National Operation Centre’s (NOC) fleet of four was almost 30 years old and obsolete and sourcing parts was costly.
Having one supplier would aid pilot and technical training and use of components and would be a better more cost-effective option, he said. Griffith said government had seen the value of the NOC’s air division in many areas, including reconnaissance, surveillance and obtaining real-time video footage, Government was also considering the purchase of UAVs to augment NOC air support and non-national security assistance. They could also act as a deterrent and aid with reconnaissance and remote sensing operations, he said. Griffith said UAV use, the first of its kind in T&T, would be subject to development and approval of legislation governing such use in local air space. He said those were not “toys” and would play a big part in ensuring citizens safety and security.
Saying Government was moving with the times, Griffith outlined what was in place with various air and sea assets in the past and outlined what his administration was doing. Griffith said a team would be examining the recommendations of the 1990 coup commission to effect its recommendations. He said Government was doing a K-9 audit to ensure properly trained canine support for air/seaports, roadblocks and other points. The ministry also was increasing the Rapid Response Unit and would be getting hovercraft, he added. He said the National Training Academy would have an indoor shooting range and the recently announced anti-terrorist unit would be formulated to deal with such situations.
News
Previous Article
Howai: Crime still T&T’s big problemNext Article
Stewart eyes more glory for T&T
Is this real or i am dreaming that this man is making this statement please tell me i am dreaming.
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This is hilarious because most Police Stations still have leaking roofs.
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Save the money by sacking the corrupt crooked cops who have been helping and collaborating with criminals for extra cash and the crime solving rate by the police force will go up.
Also use the money you are going to waste on these drones to train and pay police officers better.
Better paid and trained police officers will mean better crime solving and prevention by police officers.
An expensive drone will not reduce crime but may be more working and monitored cameras installed in crime hot spots will help.
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Blimp redux...
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Well yes, the anti-crime hovercraft... :rotfl:
Maybe they will use it in an amphibious assault of Sea Lots or Westmoorings.
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and in this pappyshow land everything with gov't is ah pappyshow
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These people really are a bunch of show off and it becomes worse when they drunk the true colors come out.
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capt crunch...the cereal gettin soggy breds.
Stop the tv appearances and pappy show stories.
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Gary Griffith is a special kind of a-hole. A kind I've never encountered before......ah doesn't know if to laugh at him or feel pity.........
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I have to admit that national security portfolio does turn good people dotish.
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Gary Griffith is a special kind of a-hole. A kind I've never encountered before......ah doesn't know if to laugh at him or feel pity.........
daiz d man wit d plan babe...ketch yuhself >:( :cursing: :yellowcard:................ ::) :-[ :'( ::)
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Maybe that is somebody's plan is to turn "good" people doltish so that the criminals would continue to reek havoc unabated
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Maybe the coup rumours had substance........or they made them up to justify the purchasing of the "toys".
It's not hard to post a status or send a tweet to the town makko, who takes it up and sells it wholesale.
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He speaks too quickly, makes him sound less credible, like human predictive texting.
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Griffith takes pride in crime drop
I wonder what world this fellow Gary Griffith really living in?
How could serious crime be down when the murder toll for 2014 is on target to equal or surpass last year's total of 407?
Is murder not the most serious crime that anyone can commit in Gary's book?
And if so then why is our National Security Minister Gary Griffith trying to take the T&T public for fools once again?
When our National Security Minister Gary Griffith wants to make such claims that serious crime is down then he needs to provide a complete list of indictable offenses for 2014 and one for last year so we can all qualify his claim.
Griffith takes pride in crime drop (http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Griffith-takes-pride-in-crime-drop-286845191.html)
By Gyasi Gonzales gyasi.gonzales@trinidadexpres (T&T Express)s.com
Story Created: Dec 25, 2014 at 10:01 PM ECT
NATIONAL Security Minister Gary Griffith came out in full support of the protective services yesterday, beaming with pride as he boasted that Trinidad and Tobago’s serious crime rate had been cut by half since 2009.
The minister mandated that in the coming year the focus of the nation’s security forces is to dismantle illegal gangs, remove illegal guns already in the country and prevent more from coming in.
“The success is there so let’s continue to support and let’s not criticise for the sake of criticising,” said Griffith.
The Minister was flanked by Deputy Commissioner of Police (ACP) Glenn Hackett, whom he mistakenly referred to as ACP (Peter) Reyes—the policeman in the news for an incident involving a cellular phone on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Trinidad to Tobago last week—during a brief interview at Inter Agency Task Force headquarters in Aranjuez.
Griffith quickly corrected himself, stating that it was a name he had on his mind, especially when DCP Hackett experienced difficulty switching off his ringing Blackberry Z10 cell phone yesterday morning.
“I am here to give solidarity to our troops, whereas the majority of our country are at home with loved ones, obviously there will be a need for certain agencies to be there to protect ourselves and families and citizens of our country and I think it’s something that ought to be recognised, that the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement agencies 24/7,” said Griffith.
“This year, thanks to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force...has proven to be the lowest number of serious crimes in this country in 31 years,” he added.
“They (the protective services) broke the record last year and then this year there were 12,000 serious crimes compared to 2009 where we had 22,000 serious crimes, so when you do the maths it is that every single hour there was one less serious crime committed in comparison to 2009.
“When we speak about serious crimes we speak about homicides, rapes, kidnappings and armed robbery,” he explained.
To the gang members, or those desirous of joining criminal gangs, Griffith had a message intended specially for them.
“It is very difficult to be protected by the law if you yourself operate outside of the law,” said the minister, who revealed that out of the 400 murders in 2013, 250 of those were as a result of gang-related activities.
To the troops, he said: “We have your back as it is not easy for anyone to put their hand on a Bible and be prepared to be the ultimate patriot, that you are willing to give your life to your country and that you are willing to give up your life for a stranger.”
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So the portfolio of MONS has now changed to include COP I guess the one thing that Bratton and Guiliani taught them is that if you list all the criminal offenses one year but the next year list less or not report them then crime will be down but we all know it's a matter of stats and stats like the colombians at villa capri once you lay them down will tell you anything.
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Why Griffith doh shut he mudda c00nt.
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Why Griffith doh shut he mudda c00nt.
:thumbsup:
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Gary Griffith moves on PP.
By Gail Alexander (Guardian)
Former national security minister Gary Griffith plans to filed a report with the police concerning an alleged meeting with advertising agency head Ernie Ross at Ross Advertising on the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) director David West issue, for the police to determine if any criminal matter occurred. Griffith confirmed that to the T&T Guardian yesterday.
The situation has further compounded the issue, which centres on West’s complaint to police concerning alleged witness-tampering by former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan in a defamation matter in which Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley is involved. Government last week denied pressuring Griffith to withdraw witness statements in West’s complaint.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar removed both Ramlogan and Griffith from the Cabinet on Monday after police started a criminal probe of West’s allegations. West gave police a statement last week when he reported the matter to acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams. Ramlogan has not yet given any statement to the police, it was confirmed yesterday.
Yesterday, Griffith said he has already submitted two statements to the police on the witness-tampering allegations. He said he would submit a statement on a third matter, the Ross issue, today. Communication Minister Vasant Bharath has denied Griffith’s claim that he had met with Ross, Griffith and Griffith’s wife, Nicole, concerning West’s allegations. Bharath said he was at Ross’ on a regular basis but didn’t attend any meeting as Griffith described.
Acting Police Commissioner Williams told the T&T Guardian yesterday that during the course of an interview by police recently, Griffith lodged the report. He said Deputy Police Commissioner Harold Phillips, who is assigned to handle the entire West issue, is now “effectively addressing the matter.”
Ross advertising responds
Yesterday, Ross Advertising issued a statement on the issue, saying there had been several inaccurate reports by the media and statements by Griffith on the alleged meeting between the head of Ross Advertising, Griffith and Mrs Griffith on January 29 at Ross’ offices.
The statement said there was never any meeting between Bharath, Griffith, Mrs Griffith and Ross. It noted, however, that there was a meeting between Griffith, Mrs Griffith and Ross at the premises but said Bharath was never part of the meeting at any time. Ross, the statement said, convened the meeting as media adviser to Griffith, noting Ross had done several advertising campaigns on the National Security Ministry’s behalf.
The company added: “As is proper form, the former minister (Griffith) and his wife were both advised at the onset and during the session that the discussions were entirely in their interest and there was no attempt to change the veracity of statements.
“At all times the purpose of the meeting was to best prepare the minister for scrutiny of the media, public and Opposition party.
“It is an informal role which Mr Ross has conducted with Minister Griffith as well as many other members of the Cabinet on numerous occasions, via phone, meetings, e-mail and text messages as issues arise.” The company said it has been conducting media management exercises for over 20 years regionally with a successful record.
PM wants inquiry
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has forwarded a request to President Anthony Carmona for an independent enquiry into the circumstances involved in the Ramlogan/Griffith/Rowley/West matter, which was sparked by a defamation suit in the Section 34 matter filed by Ramlogan against Rowley, following West’s allegations. A letter to this effect was dispatched along with statements the PM received from Ramlogan and Griffith.
In removing Ramlogan and Griffith from office on Monday, the PM had expressed concern that West had not informed either the President or her of his allegations that he had been approached by Ramlogan to withdraw a witness statement in the defamation matter involving Rowley. West’s statement was done for Rowley’s side. The PM questioned why West had waited until now to reveal his allegations.
She also expressed concern on various aspects of Rowley’s position, including whether he had known of the issue when he was consulted on West’s appointment. She said if that was the case, Rowley should also have informed the President. The PM said West’s position as PCA director was compromised because of the current situation and he should immediately resign or his appointment should be revoked.
West didn’t answer calls yesterday on whether he would resign.
http://www.tv6tnt.com/news/Gary-Griffith-I-was-fired-290599121.html
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Griffith fingers 3 more ministers
By Renuka Singh (Guardian).
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar may be blindsided by a new report filed by former national security minister Gary Griffith with the police, in which he names three of her Cabinet ministers in the chain of events that were set off by Police Complaints Authority director David West’s involvement in a civil matter between former attorney general Anand Ramlogan and Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley.
The Sunday Guardian learned that Griffith filed the new report with the police investigating witness-tampering allegations against Ramlogan, arising out of the civil matter, on Friday. In it, he alleges Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, Labour Minister Errol McLeod and Communications Minister Vasant Bharath were present during a meeting he attended at her office in St Clair on January 29, while she met with the rest of Cabinet in a nearby room.
Asked if she was aware of the latest development yesterday via a text message, Persad-Bissessar texted a simple “no.” But the Sunday Guardian learned yesterday that the new report describes the impromptu meeting between Griffith, Bharath, Moonilal and McLeod on January 29 and states that neither Moonilal nor McLeod made any contribution in the meeting, but would have witnessed the discussions between Bharath and Griffith.
The impromptu meeting is among four which occurred at the Office of the Prime Minister on the said day (January 29) while the rest of Cabinet met in another room, Griffith’s statement claims.
The report also contains copies of text messages between Griffith and Bharath in the days after it was revealed that the former was listed as a key witness in West’s statement alleging that Ramlogan used the PCA job as an inducement to him to withdraw his statement in support of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, in a defamation lawsuit brought by Ramlogan against Rowley.
Griffith backed up West’s statement, alleging that Ramlogan had contacted him (Griffith) asking that he contact West to find out whether he had withdrawn that statement. Griffith has maintained, however, that he did not know the contents of the statement the former attorney general was referring to when he delivered the message to West at Ramlogan’s behest.
Text message evidence
One of the texts included in the report, allegedly from Bharath to Griffifth, asks Griffith to consider whether his “partners would believe that he did not know what statement the AG was referring to.” That text allegedly came after Griffith began to defend his stance on the matter in the media after public furore over the allegations against Ramlogan by West.
The Sunday Guardian also learned that Griffith is weighing his legal options against Bharath over a press statement Bharath issued last Sunday, the day before Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that both Griffith and Ramlogan had resigned.
Bharath, in that media release, dismissed reports that Griffith was being “pressured to withdraw a witness statement” during the Cabinet meeting on January 29. Bharath then accused Griffith of compromising the integrity of Cabinet “without any clear or rational reason.” Both Griffth and Ramlogan were fired the following Monday by Persad-Bissessar during a public address to the nation in which she also reshuffled her Cabinet.
Those close to Griffith are now wondering, if Griffith was removed for being listed as a witness in a police investigation how the PM will treat with this new development.
Bharath wary of media leaks
Contacted for comment yesterday, Bharath said he was more concerned that details of a police investigation were being ventilated in the media. He did not comment or express any concern that he was named in Griffith's police statement, instead saying that it “is a matter of grave concern” that the media had copies of the police report.
“I would hate to think that someone is leaking documents from police files to the media. To do so would be at best mischievous and at worst, intended to corrupt any investigation that police may deem proper,” Bharath said. Bharath said that it was in the public’s interest to let police matters proceed without “unauthorised interference by third parties.”
“With this in mind, I believe that the proper investigation of the allegations you have raised would be best served by reserving comment until such time as the matter may be investigated by the persons authorised to do so,” Bharath said.
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Gary Versus Vasant
Bharath reserves comment pending probe
Former National Security minister Gary Griffith has named Communications Minister Vasant Bharath as the minister who tried to influence him not to speak out in the alleged witness tampering matter involving fired attorney general Anand Ramlogan and Police Complaints Authority (PCA) director David West.
In his statement to police, Griffith said the move to silence him took place at a meeting on January 29 at the conference room of the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair.
Griffith has also submitted to police text messages that were exchanged between him and Bharath on January 30 to support his claim.
The Sunday Express broke the story of the alleged witness tampering on January 25.
Both Griffith and Ramlogan were fired by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on February 2.
The allegation levelled against Ramlogan is that six days before West was appointed director of the PCA he (Ramlogan) telephoned him and asked that he withdraw his witness statement in a defamation lawsuit relating to the failed extradition involving Section 34 applicants Steve Ferguson and Ishwar Galbaransingh in exchange for him being selected for the job.
Ramlogan has denied the allegation which is now the subject of a police probe.
The text messages were exchanged on the same day (January 30) West reported Ramlogan to the police.
Telephone records show that the text messages were from the same mobile numbers the Sunday Express have used to contact Bharath and Griffith from the time they were both given ministerial portfolios.
At the time the text messages were sent Griffith was still a member of Cabinet before being fired on February 2, 2015 by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who said he had an obligation to tell her that he was asked to telephone West and find out if he had pulled back a “document”.
Griffith, who is a key witness in the matter, has dismissed the reason for him being axed from the Cabinet, insisting that he was removed because he did not agree with several Cabinet colleagues that he should deny the December 19, 2014 telephone conversation he had with West.
Griffith handed over the text messages along with two statements to police last week.
Text messages
The text messages exchanged between Griffith and Bharath commenced at 11.08 a.m on January 30 and read as follows:
Griffith to Bharath: Interesting that the same words being used by United National Congress (UNC) minions on the blogs is exactly what u used to try and influence and intimidate me not to speak the truth. I hope u all prepared to finish what u start. U all underestimating my capabilities
Bharath to Griffith: Wht r u talking about
Griffith to Bharath: Check blogs. Word for word
Bharath to Griffith: I don’t get blogs. I have not uttered a word to anyone
Wht does it say
Whatever it says I can guarantee u did not come from me
Griffith to Bharath: “Steups. Pile of crap from UNC that I should be fired. Why I didn’t report it etc. Nonsense. There was never anything to report
My statement drafted does not implicate or go against anand. It is my involvement in the matter
Bharath to Griffith: “I can assure u that has not come from me. And in any event my comments were y West didn’t report it…not you…. All I ask you was whether your partners at the oval would believe that u didn’t know what statement AG was referring to
Griffith to Bharath: “Ok. But exact angle being used by bloggers who are minions to the cabal
Bharath to Griffith: “I am not a member of the cabal….so i don’t know who they are. U need to look elsewhere…I would have hoped that u would have known me better than that….a little disappointed if honest
Griffith to Bharath: “So how you think I feel to be given the option to be thrown under the bus in an attempt to save anand
I hearing about firing all over the place. Up to now she has not even asked to see me to find out or the Commissioner of Police (CoP) who would confirm that I am not under investigation or implicated in any way. So I hope everyone treading carefully and looking down the road
Bharath to Griffith:Have u tried contacting her
Griffith to Bharath: Several messages. No response. I gave her my draft statement. No response
Text messages exchange ended at 4.09 p.m.
The meeting
On January 29, the day before the text messages were exchanged between Griffith and Bharath, a meeting was held in the conference room of the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair while the weekly Cabinet meeting was in session.
Details of the meeting are listed in one of the statements Griffith handed over to police last week.
Griffith told police that Labour Minister Errol McLeod who was the acting Prime Minister at the time, Leader of Government Business and Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Bharath were present at the meeting.
In his statement, Griffith also said that at no time did Moonilal and McLeod try to persuade him from doing what he intended.
Griffith further told police that both Moonilal and McLeod said “nothing of significance” but were observing.
An excerpt from Griffith’s second statement reads: “On Thursday January 29, 2015 I went to a Cabinet meeting which was to be held on the third floor of the Office of the Prime Minister located at St Clair. I arrived at the Office of the Prime Minister at around 9.50 a.m. and the Cabinet meeting started at around 10 a.m. The Cabinet meeting was being chaired by the acting Prime Minister Errol McLeod. At the meeting also were most of the other Cabinet ministers including Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal and Trade and Communications Minister Vasant Bharath.
“At around 10 a.m. Mr Roodal Moonilal requested that I accompany him to the Prime Minister’s conference room which is situated on the third floor next to the Prime Minister’s office. I accompanied him to the conference room and I met the then acting Prime Minister Errol Mc Leod and Minister Vasant Bharath there.
“I cannot recall who stated that my presence there was to discuss my involvement pertaining to the investigation involving the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan (former) and the PCA director Mr David West. I informed them that I would be obligated to speak the truth and stated what I know pertaining to this matter.
“I stated that this meant that I will be obliged to state that the Attorney General Anand Ramlogan (former) did contact me to ascertain if Mr West had withdrawn a document which they had dismissed previously. I also told them that I didn’t know the specifics of the document.
While there Mr Bharath stated let us walk this through. He (Bharath) said if I was aware of the implications which would take place if I pursue the matter in that direction and that it can affect the Government. I informed him that if the Government is affected I am not to be blamed as the inappropriate action was committed by the attorney.
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:banginghead: when will they roll up the tent and move this circus out of town?
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ah was out of circulation for a while being in a country without much internet access and ah comeback to all this bacchanal? ah man loose his ministerial position for standing up for the truth ??? I'm confused !!
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ah was out of circulation for a while being in a country without much internet access and ah comeback to all this bacchanal? ah man loose his ministerial position for standing up for the truth ??? I'm confused !!
Hell hath no fury like a woman Gary scorned.
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So yeah...I realise we eh do a caption contest in a while..and find this one in papers.
Caption it nah.
(http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p1/triniBourbon/IMG-20150209-WA0004.jpg)
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^^ ;D
Ah couldn't come up with a caption for that nah, but Gary looking uncomfortable.
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This Griffith West Rowley Ramlogan caught me by surprise. More surprising was his sacking.
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Ex-minister Griffith anxious to be cleared of emailgate but says:
By Anna Ramdass (Express)
DON’T RUSH COPS
The police should not be rushed to provide a conclusion on the emailgate probe, says former national security minister Gary Griffith.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on Monday called on the authorities to move swiftly to conclude the investigations, noting that information requested from service provider Google was received.
“If the e-mail information sent from the US authorities has in fact been received directly from Google by the police concerning my e-mail account and those of other ministers, then those investigations must move with dispatch, must move swiftly to conclude that investigation having regard of the serious nature of the allegations...I ask that the findings be made public as a matter of urgency so the damage done to our country’s reputation can be restored,” she said.
Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, via a release on Tuesday, confirmed that police had received the information from Google and was analysing it.
“The information contained in the communication is voluminous in nature and the alleged e-mails are being analysed by the TTPS to determine their authenticity,” stated the release.
Griffith told the Express yesterday that while he too is anxious to cleared of the allegations in emailgate he knows, from his own training in law enforcement that these investigations take time.
He said in the same way the investigations into the assassination of senior counsel Dana Seetahal and the LifeSport scandal will also take time.
In May 2013, Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley during his motion of no confidence against the People’s Partnership Government and the Prime Minister, disclosed the contents of 31 e-mails purporting to be exchanges between Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, former Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, then Minister of Local Government Surujrattan Rambachan and Griffith.
The e-mails alleged these high office holders were conspiring to harm a journalist, plant electronic spy devices in the Office of the DPP, offer the DPP a judgeship, and to accept payment from an unnamed woman in exchange for the freedom of people involved in the Section 34 fiasco in September 2012.
Griffith pointed out that when Rowley exposed the e-mails, he (Griffith) handed over his mobile phone to the police for investigation as he had nothing to hide.
“Based on the investigations then, my own phone was interrogated and nothing was found,” said Griffith.
He said more in depth investigations were needed and hence Google was asked to provide information on e-mails sent, received, deleted and archived.
“I expect this matter would be dealt with as quickly as possible but it would be inappropriate to rush or demand the police to hasten their investigations,” said Griffith.
He said the police cannot just come forward with “bits and pieces” of information.
“We should allow the police to do their job,” said Griffith, adding that the police have to make two determinations- the authenticity of the e-mails and secondly the truth in the content of the e-mails.
“It’s a lot of work that needs to be done....What I expect is that until they have fully completed their investigation, they will make a public statement,” he said.
Griffith noted that when Seetahal was murdered on May 4 last year within the first 24 hours “a lot of information was brought to my attention which I still have in my head”.
However, he said the police cannot call a press conference and divulge pieces of information.
“That is not how the police operate, that is how politicians operate,” he said.
“All aspects of the investigation must be completed before the police can come forward and make any public pronouncement,” he said.
He added that so too in the case of LifeSport, there was a lot of information but that matter is also under probe.
“We have to be patient and let the police do their work, I hope it an be done as soon as possible but they have to do their work,” said Griffith.
Williams had appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Mervyn Richardson as the lead investigator into emailgate but he retired from the service in November last year.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Glenn Hackett who is now the leading investigator on the case could not be reached yesterday.
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Like "Get Them Gary" ain't making joke, he really getting out there and trying to put a stop to the crime and corruption.
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Like "Get Them Gary" ain't making joke, he really getting out there and trying to put a stop to the crime and corruption.
Work in progress. If PNM lose the election, I don't think Gary going to be there. He needs 3 to 4 years to fix just the police service.
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Like "Get Them Gary" ain't making joke, he really getting out there and trying to put a stop to the crime and corruption.
Work in progress. If PNM lose the election, I don't think Gary going to be there. He needs 3 to 4 years to fix just the police service.
Wake me up when he start going after the big heads... once he do that, he will end up like Gary Boleyn ....
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Who is Gary Boleyn ?
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Who is Gary Boleyn ?
"Anne Boleyn"
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Well he may well end up like Anne Boleyn, seeing the way, Sel Richardson, Dana Seetahal, Gladiators ended up. There is lack of trust for some in the TTPS. And rightly so. The TTPS needs a house cleaning. He can't bull-dozed his way into the task of bringing respectability to the service. He will lose the backing of the entire service. He has to do a delicate balancing act. trinis want 2 things. But they doh want these things to affect their family or community. They want the bandits dead. But not their sons, nephews, etc. They want white collar criminals locked up. But not they families who are involved. We doh know what the f--k we want.
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"Happy hour over!" The man had a big drug bust in Westmoorings today.
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After newspaper report, top cop Griffith probes politician cop
BY KEN CHEE HING (NEWSDAY).
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has launched an investigation following a newspaper report of a man actively seeking political office with a political party while on the payroll of the police service.
Griffith, in a press release made it abundantly clear, "When you join the TT Police Service, you immediately lose certain rights as a citizen. He said he is now investigating allegations of a police officer applying and being interviewed for a political post while in the service and being quoted in the media of openly expressing his support and allegiance to the principles of that said party.
Section 40 of the Police Service Act Chapter 15:01 states "A police officer is disqualified from membership of the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Tobago House of Assembly, or a Municipal Corporation."
Section 133 also states: An officer: (a) shall not engage in any activity, occupation or undertaking which would impair his usefulness
Section 139, he said, states: "An officer shall not make any public expression of political and sectarian opinions, and shall bear himself with strict impartiality in all matters."
A police officer holds immense authority, which includes that power to take away the rights of freedom of other citizens, hence at no time, must there even be the perception that an officer can and would use such authority to show any degree of bias in the performance of his duties, the release said.
If one wants to have such rights to freely express his/her political alliance, and even to officially join, support, and represent any political party holding any political post, he/she must resign. Prior to being selected as police commissioner, Griffith was a former National Security Minister and was also National Security advisor to then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Between the period of swearing such an oath, to when you tender your resignation from the TTPS, any such action could be seen as being biased and politically motivated, and also would be in breach of TTPS Regulations and relevant disciplinary action would be taken, he warned in the release.
The press release stated that only a few weeks ago, Griffith had cause to caution an officer for showing open support to a political party and making scathing attacks against another party via social media. This clearly means, Griffith said, that there are officers who are not aware of the regulations in the TTPS.
Presently, another investigation is ongoing of reports of a police officer in Tobago who likewise, has openly expressed his support for one political party, with reports of him trying to influence citizens to support said political party.
Griffith also said he had noted comments regarding the alleged reason for an officer not being selected by a community to represent them, being that he is seen as "an informant."
Any community, inclusive of politicians who see "informants" as a source of concern, can be seen as being part of the problem, Griffith said. He added that he shudders to think that any politician or community with law-abiding citizens would have issues of someone being an "informant", who would be there to prevent crime rather than cause it.
If this is remotely accurate, Griffith said in the release, it goes in line with his recent statement about the social decay of our society, whereby a community is accused of being upset that someone is an informant, not for being perceived as providing information to cause crime, but to provide information to the police to prevent crime and arrest criminals.
And this is seen as being the improper type for representation by some, as it gives the perception that a cold-blooded criminal or gang leader, can be seen as being the type who they prefer to represent and lead them. This is the type of social decay which must be addressed by our nation, as policing alone cannot fix such misguided views, Griffith said.
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Griffith monitoring 'lawyer criminals'
BY COREY CONNELLY (NEWSDAY).
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has criticised the criminal justice system for granting quick bail to some perpetrators. He also warned "lawyer criminals' that he would be "monitoring them like a hawk."
Addressing members of the Tobago business community on Wednesday at the Shirvan Police Station, Griffith said the current systems in place hinder the police from reducing crime.
He said there is a very good possibility that the people who have committed the vast majority of crimes in Tobago over the past few years, have already been arrested and charged.
"And then we were given virtual diplomatic immunity by the criminal justice system because persons believe that these criminals have a right to be free," Griffith said, insisting the rights of law-abiding citizens must take precedence.
"It cannot continue."
Griffith said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has taken a tough stand on criminals.
"In Barbados, if someone is found with something a little stronger than a slingshot, the prime minister now she has put no bail for 24 months. But we have politicians; we have persons in the media; we have activists; we have people in the Law Association having the audacity to state if I find someone with an assault rifle that can kill hundreds of persons, they have a right to get bail."
Saying people benefit from crime, the top cop said some even pay individuals to write and speak on their behalf.
He added while criminals lawyers have a right to defend the accused, "there is also something called lawyer criminals and I am monitoring them like a hawk.
"They will not like me but they have their job to do and I have mine. It will be a drastic difference from their direction to mine."
Griffith said the public must agitate for criminals to be kept in jail without bail for longer periods.
"We can't crack this if 323 persons we have held with illegal firearms in the last three years have been given bail on the first hearing. And we have the intelligence that says there are no more than 800 shooters. So, we have arguably arrested and held more than half of the individuals, which means that we could have reduced homicide probably by half.
"But, instead the 323 went back out, purchased more weapons, finished the hit and probably put a hit on the person whom they felt sold them out. And then we (police) are expected to deal with the problem."
Griffith said law-abiding citizens must speak out on this issue.
The meeting, chaired by Tobago Chamber president Diane Hadad, addressed the spate of gun robberies and other criminal activities within recent months. Many police officers, including the island's top brass, attended.
Some participants spoke about their harrowing experiences with criminals and the island's porous borders while others complained about the absence of police patrols, particularly in areas that were identified as hotspots. Stakeholders also highlighted instances of perceived police inaction.
Griffith told the businessmen there will be a drastic improvement in the delivery of service from the police service in Tobago.
"I do not have a golden wand. It cannot be done overnight. Certain things we can do. there are some low-hanging fruit I can put in place based on a number of recommendations that you have made."
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"We can't crack this if 323 persons we have held with illegal firearms in the last three years have been given bail on the first hearing. And we have the intelligence that says there are no more than 800 shooters. So, we have arguably arrested and held more than half of the individuals, which means that we could have reduced homicide probably by half.
The math of a politician.
I wonder what the arithmetic of the Prime Minister, the AG and the Minister of National Security entails.
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Gary is no puppet.
By Jack Warner (sunshinetodaytt)
The current spat being played out across social media between the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police is a greater threat to the people of Trinidad and Tobago than Covid-19.
Ever since the Prime Minister declared a more aggressive approach to the maintenance of social distancing, a more robust measure as it pertains to the application of restrictions on the population and the declaration of who will be allowed freedom of movement during this heightened period, there has been a “toing” and “froing” on the part of these two principals and by now I would have thought that the Prime Minister would have intervened to bring this to rest.
What is clear is that Gary Griffith is no puppet…….never was and never will be!
What is clearer is that if this PNM Administration wanted a puppet who would rock to their every whim and fancy then Gary Griffith is not the man.
A casual glance at his achievements show that his career is inundated with examples of him choosing to do the right thing amid opportunities to advance his own sphere of influence and if Griffith is not the type of man that the PNM would have wanted; the question that begs an answer is why did they appoint him to the post of Commissioner of Police in the first place?
Gary Griffith does not and will not follow orders that are illegal; orders that run against the grain of his moral values.
Gary Griffith will not follow orders that challenge his spiritual upbringing as a good Catholic, the man is anal like that.
But most importantly, Gary Griffith puts country first and it does not matter what his political affiliation is or what position the one giving the order holds, if an order runs against what is right and what is lawful for the people of Trinidad and Tobago then Gary Griffith will not obey that order.
That is the problem that this Rowley administration seems to be having with their Commissioner of Police. This is the challenge that is apparently haunting them because Gary Griffith has openly refused to do that which is unlawful and accept the role of the fall guy for this administration.
If Rhoda Bharath were the Commissioner of Police maybe Rowley and Young’s wishes would have been her command. Maybe the police cells would have been overflowing with innocent citizens. Maybe the rights of our people would have been unconstitutionally suspended. Maybe this spat with the Minister of National Security would have never occurred. But Rhoda Bharath is not the Commissioner of Police but a puppet of the Rowley Administration, so, if Rowley wants blind allegiance at the head of the Police Service, then Rhoda Bharath should be appointed as Commissioner of Police.
Dr. Keith Rowley knows that what is needed in this country at this time is the suspension of civil liberties and this can only be done by imposing the Emergency Powers Act by the declaration of a State of Emergency.
The problem is that Keith Rowley wants to make that declaration but he has found himself betwixt and between because very early in his administration he chastised the People’s Partnership for declaring a State of Emergency and went on to append that his Government will do no such thing as it viewed such a strategy as an act that declares one has failed.
So Dr. Rowley has his hands tied by his own declaration and in an election year, he cannot call a State of Emergency because in doing so he runs the risk of a rejuvenated Opposition using his own criterion to declare that the PNM party has failed.
But in all honesty Rowley knows that a State of Emergency must be declared and it is here that Gary Griffith has become the fly in his ointment because Gary rightfully has refused to play along and enforce emergency powers without the authority of the laws of Trinidad and Tobago.
This is what the current spat between the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police is all about.
The current spat has to deal with our constitutional rights and it has to deal with encroachments in our democracy.
It is a case where the Government is demonstrating a willingness to become authoritarian and autocratic and is seeking to enjoin the Commissioner of Police in what can only be described as questionable behaviour.
It is not that the Government cannot do the right thing and invoke the emergency powers because through Parliament it has absolute and transcendent powers in these matters. It is just that Rowley, since the crime waves started rolling in during his tenure, has adopted the position that State of Emergencies “would negatively affect the country including halting economic growth.”
At the bone of contention are a number critical issues; the first having to do with freedom of movement and freedom to assembly because since the declaration of a more robust lockdown which clearly was not well thought out, citizens have been asking questions as it relates to what seems to be restrictions on their movement during these critical times.
Legally, the Government seems to have appended through legitimate channels that citizens cannot assemble in groups more than 10.
The question citizens are asking is whether they can assemble in groups less than 10 and if they assemble does the police have the authority to arrest or detain them for doing so? Is the number 10 the appropriate number?
Even I have a question on this matter because if the Prime Minister has legitimized that public transport capacity should not exceed half of the licensed capacity, will I be found adrift of the law if I am in a 25seater maxi that is carrying 12 passengers?
Another question has to do with citizens who would normally take a stroll in their communities as a form of exercise since there seems to be confusion relating to whether this is permitted or not.
Citizens want to know whether they would be interrupted by the police or members of the Defence Force if they go alone for a walk around their neighbourhood and to this the Commissioner rightly answers “no”.
If the Government wanted to restrict the movement of its people and their right to assemble then it could have invoked emergency powers and give to the police extraordinary powers to ensure that social distancing is robustly followed in order to wisely restrict the possibility of transferring the virus across our population.
But the Government cannot leave it up to the discretion of the people to act and expect the police to exercise the heavy hand of the law if the discretion of the people does not meet the lofty standards of the Government. There must be clarity.
So, the Commissioner of Police smartly communicated with the public regarding the powers of the police but somebody in Government was uncomfortable regarding what he declared and rather than call a meeting of the National Security Council to clarify this matter, chose the social media platform to air an antithetical view.
To the Government, be informed that you cannot outwit nor out speak Gary Griffith when he is in the right, you will not win!
At present, it is clear that his actions are legal. He is doing the right thing and the national community is behind him.
If the Government wants to curb the spread of this virus it cannot harbour sectoral interests and this is what the nation is reading in the Commissioner’s declaration of his powers.
It is either you fight this virus head on with a State of Emergency or you facilitate its spread to accommodate big business and at the end of the day we will all suffer and die.
Whatever decision you make Mr. Prime Minister just remember I told you that Gary Griffith is no puppet.
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‘Express’ reporter scores legal victory against CoP
Anna Ramdass (Express).
Answer, Gary
Express investigative journalist Denyse Renne has scored a major victory in taking Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to court for failing to provide information applied for under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in October 2019.
The top cop was yesterday ordered by Justice Ronnie Boodoosingh to provide answers on questions posed on the operations of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
Download PDFFOIA judgement
Griffith did not immediately respond to a request from the Express for comment yesterday.
In his judgment, Boodoosingh stated that freedom of information requests must be dealt with promptly as the public has a right to this information in the interest of transparency.
“There is a general duty on public authorities to provide information. This is done to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in the exercise of public functions. Citizens are entitled to ask for information and to be given it unless there is good reason for not doing so,” stated the judge.
The Commissioner has been ordered to provide answers on hiring practices, salaries, contracts and granting of licences, among other matters.
Griffith must provide the categories of persons granted firearms users’ licences, the names of all returning police officers and retired Defence Force officers hired (except those in covert operations) and the salaries paid to them.
Griffith must also provide the names of all contractors/suppliers retained by the Police Service for the period August 2018 to the date of the request (October 2019) and the cost of the services as well as all external attorneys retained by the Police Service to attend to civil matters and the cost of services.
The judge noted that certain information was provided to Renne in November 2019 but in other cases the information was not provided and exemptions were claimed under the relevant sections of the FOIA.
The judge then went on to dissect instances where exemptions were cited to not provide information to Renne and ordered that the information be provided to some degree as it relates to some questions.
He noted that TTPS Legal Unit head Christian Chandler, in response to Renne’s request for information on mechanisms used to identify which retiring police officers were being allowed to return to the Police Service, had indicated no specific criteria were used.
However, Boodoosingh ruled that that mechanism also relates to whether there was an open invitation for persons to apply or whether it was based on specific invitations or whether there was an interview process, etc. He ordered Griffith to provide such information to Renne.
Covert operations
On Renne’s request for information on firearm users’ licences and which sector the persons granted licences belonged to such as businessmen and private citizens, Boodoosingh noted that Griffith indicated that such information is not requested on the application form submitted by applicants.
However, the judge pointed out that the form does provide for the occupation of persons applying to be granted licences to be stated and he ordered that numbers of persons by categories of occupation to be provided with respect to who received gun licences.
Renne had requested a list of all names of former police officers retained by the Police Service and the positions they held from August 2018 to the date of the request (October 2019).
Boodoosingh noted that the information was not provided as an exemption was claimed under this that those police officers were recalled to assist in covert intelligence operations.
The judge stated it would seem reasonable that if they have been hired for covert intelligence operations their identities should not be disclosed as this may compromise their activities and their safety.
However, he said “it would be strange if this were to apply to all police officers who have returned,” and ordered that the names of those who have not been hired specifically for covert intelligence operations be provided.
No good reason to refuse
Renne had also requested the collective salaries of all the persons who have been returned as police officers.
Boodoosingh disagreed with Griffith’s claim for this to be exempted and onerous to compile.
“In my view, the total amount being spent on returning police officers cannot be subject to an exemption. There is nothing particularly sensitive about this or onerous about providing it. There must be a budget item for this in the Police Service and the figure can therefore be ascertained on a quick review of the payroll can generate the amount,” he stated, ordering that it be provided.
With respect to Griffith’s claim that the names of former Defence Force persons now attached to the police service, their rank in the police service and their remuneration packages cannot be provided because of intelligence operations, Boodoosingh stated it cannot compromise their operations or safety if information is provided as to what ranks they hold and what they are paid.
Renne’s request for the names of all contractors/suppliers retained by the Police Service for the period August 2018 to the date of the request and the cost of the services was denied on the basis that it was not specific.
Boodoosingh stated, however, there must be some records within the Police Service which can identify who or which entities have been given contracts and who have supplied goods and services to the Police Service which can be provided.
“Presumably the Police Service has to report to the relevant ministry on moneys spent on the provision of goods and services. Presumably there will be records of what is provided for within the service and what is sourced externally. There was, in my view, no good reason advanced for not providing this information,” he stated.
He further stated that Renne’s request for a list of all advertisements by the Police Service for the procurement of goods and services cannot be considered to be onerous or difficult to provide and it must be provided.
Renne had requested the names of all external attorneys retained by the police service to attend to civil matters and the cost of services.
Boodoosingh stated this is a legitimate request as there is “no privilege in a name or the fees paid with public funds”.
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Two months into September and despite reports of recent media releases, why are there no September media releases on the TTPS website?
http://www.ttps.gov.tt/Media/Media-Releases/2020-Media-Releases
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Allyuh think Gary go get fired, resign.
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CoP invites more women to apply for gun licenses
By Sascha Wilson (T&T Guardian).
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith is encouraging more women to apply for Firearm Users Licences (FUL) to protect themselves against criminal elements.
His call came yesterday in the wake of public outrage over violence against women, children and the murders of 18-year-old Ashanti Riley and the discovery of the body of missing mother Krystal Primus-Espinoza.
Speaking at a press conference at the Police Administration Building in Port-of-Spain, Griffith said the public outcry had ignited an operational plan to deal with missing persons and violence against women and children.
“I want to inform all women in the country, there is nothing against women having a firearm, a fireman is something that can be an asset for you. There is no need to be fearful of a firearm. Firearms do not kill people, people kill people. A firearm should not be something you feel so sensitive that you feel that you do not want it,” Griffith said. (See editorial on Page 12)
However, the Commissioner said he was concerned that 95 per cent of the applicants were men.
Noting that he has increased the number of firearm licences issued annually from over 200 to 1,500, Griffith said he has been pushing heavily to provide people with their right to bear arms.
“If the state cannot fully protect you and for obvious reasons, we cannot give you the assurance that we can. We are doing all that we can through the Government, through the TTPS and other arms of national security, but it is your right to bear arms. It is your right to defend yourself, it is your right to protect you, your assets your loved ones…,” he said.
“A firearm is not a man thing, a firearm is something that should be used by law-abiding citizens to protect themselves.”
In a subsequent telephone interview, Griffith told Guardian Media that out of the 30,000 firearm licence applicants, just about 3,000 were women.
“So I think basically, it is a mindset to get women to understand that a firearm is an avenue that can be used to protect themselves from criminal elements.”
In the press briefing, he said the applicants should be 50-50 male and female percentage-wise.
He said the recent outcry over the murders of Riley and Primus-Espinoza had forced an action item from the TTPS. This, he said, involves making a recommendation to Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi for pepper spray to be legally issued to women.
Similar to the process for a FUL, he said the pepper spray would be registered to each person who owns one.
“What I intend to do as it is a prohibited item, as the Commissioner of Police, I would make a recommendation to the Attorney General to seek approval for it to be made available to women. As Commissioner of Police, I would make a recommendation to the Attorney General to seek approval for me as the Commissioner of Police to have it regulated,” he said.
“So I understand the Prime Minister’s concerns and he is correct, we do not want this to get in the hands of everyone but what I am recommending is that this can be a regulated item where it can be registered to each and everyone who wants to get pepper spray, you have it registered.”
He added that pepper spray saves lives and is non-lethal.
“I have done immense research around the world. Pepper spray has proven to be very instrumental to saving many females from being killed, raped or kidnapped because what it is, it is an avenue of escape. It is not an avenue to hurt or harm anyone.” Following the highly-publicised murders over the past week, he said there is the public perception of a spike in violence against women and missing persons. However, he said there has been a decrease. He said 200 fewer people have been reported missing compared to last year, including a 129 decrease in the number of missing women. Also, out of 745 missing persons this year, there were 411 minors between the age group 15 to 19 and 90 to 95 per cent of the missing persons left on their own and did not want to be found.
However, Griffith assured the police continue to immediately act on all missing person reports using proper protocol and procedures. To assist with information on missing persons, Griffith said the police have reached out to several agencies and would be putting picture boards with the photographs of missing persons at supermarkets and other businesses around the country. He said they would also be posting picture boards on social media platforms and in the newspapers.
He said they have spoken to Massy Stores, TruValue, Xtra Foods and other supermarkets and agencies about putting the picture boards at their establishments. He also encouraged members of the public to download the TTPS app which has an SOS button, as it could make a difference between life and death.
Hitting back at persons who claimed women were being killed while the police were busy dealing with DSS and patrolling the beaches for COVID breaches, Griffith said instead of blaming the police for everything, people should try to work with them. A total of 46 females have been murdered for the year but Griffith said not one family, friend, employee, or neighbour of the women murdered in domestic violence circumstances had gone to the police with solid information. He also said the police would also be putting game-changers in place as it relates to child pornography and prostitution in the coming weeks.
According to the TTPS website, applying for a FUL is a two-step process
Step 1: You must obtain a Provisional License that authorises you to discharge a firearm at a specific shooting range for the purpose of training in the use of the firearm. You can obtain a copy of the Provisional License application form from the Government Printery at the address at the bottom of this page. The form should be completed in accordance with the included instructions and returned, together with the following documents, to the TTPS Firearms Section.
• ↓Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
• ↓A Certificate of Character issued by the Commissioner of Police not less than three months prior to the date of application. For information on how to obtain a Certificate of Character click here.
• ↓A specimen of the signature of the person to whom the License is to be issued.
• ↓The Provisional License expires two months from the date of issue. You may apply for a Firearm User’s License once your Provisional License has expired.
Step 2: You can obtain a copy of the Firearm User’s License application form from the Firearms Section of TTPS. The form should be completed in accordance with the included instructions and returned, together with the following documents, to the TTPS Firearms Section.
• ↓Two passport-sized photographs of the applicant.
• ↓A Certificate of Character issued by the Commissioner of Police not less than three months prior to the date of application.
• ↓A specimen of the signature of the person to whom the License is to be issued.
• ↓A Certificate of Competence issued by a licensed firearms instructor.
• ↓There is no application fee.
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Today I want to take this time to applaud the efforts of our COP in tackling the crime situation in TnT- especially the war on gangs and drugs. Initially when he began his tenure bringing a military style approach there were objections and push back- police killings were criticized- Well folks I invite you to view the similar approach in the slums of Rio and Cape Town- similar to some neighbourhoods which exist in Trinidad.
Brazil adapted a two level structure of policing: civil police officers and military police who are focused on the favellas - when all yuh look at the you tube- check out the female leading this up- lawd hot hot.
Palestine has established a similar approach
India- very progressive- has created an all female police station dealing with many domestic cases against women .
People time to step forward and applaud all the efforts our COP had being bringing to clean up TnT
Check these out
Police patrol the slums of Rio and Cape Town
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vnwDQ8rZn78
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be1vSrEcmyM&list=PL-ffc00Qz6QZN9cK3gsd98EsNhTY8TRmh&index=7
Police in India and Palestine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNbxCWKnWG4
I suggest we send officers to these locations to learn and see how these situations are dealt with in places like Brazil and Cape Town- Having British and Scotland Yard type training in culturally removed from our context- Jamaica tried brining in. A Ul top to run things - minimum success - we tried with two Canadians - nah - culturall differences stymied what they tried to impose - leh we take ah good look at the efforts in Rio and CapeTown - even India is impressive.
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Court grants widow go-ahead to sue Gary
By Rickie Ramdass (T&T Express).
THE widow of a man who was killed in a traffic accident in 2011 has been granted permission by the High Court to pursue judicial review proceedings against Police Commissioner Gary Griffith.
That action will be in challenge of a decision by the commissioner to discontinue disciplinary proceedings against a police officer whose continued absence in court led to the person who was charged with causing her husband’s death, by way of dangerous driving, walking free.
Justice Devindra Rampersad on Tuesday granted leave to Maureen Dilchan-Maharajh to have the claim filed within the next two weeks.
Her husband was killed on August 15, 2011, after he was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle in Manzanilla.
According to court documents, Dilchan-Maharajh and the couple’s two sons, Shiva and Girish Maharajh, were also seriously injured in the accident but managed to survive.
The driver of the other vehicle was eventually charged with causing her husband’s death by way of dangerous driving, but had the matter against him dismissed in March 2017 at the Sangre Grande Magistrates’ Court when the officer who laid the charge, Cpl Dindial Joseph, failed to appear on the day the matter was set for trial.
Disciplinary charges were brought against Joseph by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) but were later discontinued when the officer provided a sick leave certificate that excused him from work that day.
Notorious behaviour
In her lawsuit, Dilchan-Maharaj stated this was not the only occasion Joseph had been absent in the matter. It was something habitual with him missing eight out of 12 appearances.
She stated that the decision by the commissioner to discontinue the disciplinary proceedings was a misconception.
“It was open to the Commissioner of Police to consider that it would be wholly unreasonable and irrational for a magistrate to dismiss proceedings due to the fact that Cpl Joseph was absent for one hearing and that he had a sick leave certificate.
It stands to reason that it must have been happening as a matter of habit for such a decision to be taken,” Dilchan-Maharaj’s attorney Alana Rambarran stated in the judicial review application.
She added that her client had obtained notes from the court hearings that took place before Senior Magistrate Debra Quintyne which showed that Joseph had been absent on multiple occasions.
She said Griffith failed to make relevant considerations in making the decision, including the seriousness of the offence, the effect on public confidence in the TTPS and the effect on the surviving victims.
She is seeking a series of declarations that the discontinuance of the disciplinary proceedings was illegal, unreasonable, and irrational. She is also seeking an order compelling Griffith to reinstate the proceedings against Joseph.
“I was most appalled that officers continue to refuse to attend court for their matters and nothing seems to be done to address the situation by the Commissioner of Police,” she said.
“They have become notorious for not attending their matters in court which often times leads to matters being thrown out for trivial reasons such as non-appearance by the prosecution and without the court being able to properly assess the merits of the case or meeting the justice of the case,” Rambarran added.
Dilchan-Maharajh is also being represented by Anand Ramlogan,SC, Renuka Rambhajan, and Alvin Pariagsingh.
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The Dangers of Narcissism
By Dr Selwyn R. Cudjoe (trinidadandtobagonews.com)
I use to think that the motto of the Trinidad and Tobago Constabulary was “to protect and serve.” Unfortunately, it seems that its present mission is “to belittle and berate.” Listening to Gary Griffith, the Commissioner of Police, one would think he is at war with the society or anyone who criticize his opinions or performance.
Nothing reflects this position clearer than his response to Kafra Kamon’s call for his removal from office. Kambon called the deaths of Joel Balcon and Andrew Morris while in police custody “abominable” and objected to Griffith’s description of young Black men as “cockroaches.”
Kambon, an eminent citizen, repeated what many in the country think. He said: “We cannot allow emotions to drag us down a precipitous incline to a police state where the crimes committed by demented civilians today may pale in comparison to the terrors of officially sanctioned violence and murders without redress tomorrow” (Express, February 26.)
Disregarding the sophistication of Kambon’s argument, Griffith responded with thuggish vehemence: “It seems Emancipation must have come early this year….That sweet sleep he enjoys for most of the year as hundreds of young black boys in ‘his’ community both becomes victims and perpetrators of violent crimes….Kambon claims to be a ‘black leader,’ [but]… he only pops out of his slumber to bully and beg government for money for Emancipation celebrations…which he never accounts for.”
Kambon and the Emancipation Support Committee are not responsible for preventing violent crimes in his or other communities. They seek to promote an awareness of African culture and history among Afro-Trinbagonians and advocate on behalf of Black people’s interests. They have been successful in these endeavors.
One questions whether Griffith understands the social and psychological sciences when he insists that Kambon is “offended by Gary Griffith’s use of cockroach and now has incredibly and racially linked that to mean black. So now he’s organizing a march to get rid of Gary….
“Like others, Kambon’s motives of protecting the criminals is [sic] clear as the glass house he snoozes in, and like everything else Kambon has done throughout his life, it will be an abject failure, because the vast majority of citizens are behind GG, and they know cockroach is not racial but FACTUAL.”
A commissioner’s success lies not only in the use of force but also in understanding the social psychology of his people. He must understand the adverse effects of labeling any segment of the population. Calling young Black men cockroaches sets them up for social stigmatizing, physical and psychological persecution, and racial profiling. It sets the stage for brutalizing and killing them.
Kambon was referring to the Rwandan genocide of 1994 in which the Hutus slaughtered over 500,000 Tutsis. To achieve its objective, the Rwandan government labeled the Tutsi as “inyenzi” or cockroaches which made it easier to exterminate them.
The Hutus had to demonize the Tutsis before they killed them. Writing in the New Times, Rwanda’s leading daily newspaper, Kennedy Ndhahiro noted: “For genocide to occur, it must be preceded by the dehumanization of a group. To dehumanize means to deny the humanity of someone, reducing them to sub-human…. Equating Tutsi with cockroaches meant that few would think twice about killing and attempting to exterminate something so vile, dirty and sneaky” (March 13, 2014).
Anyone who leads a police force must be aware of this elementary form of psychological warfare. And Griffith was a soldier. But Gary’s problem is not one of unawareness. It might be the manifestation of what Manfred Kets De Vries and Elizabeth Scott call “malignant narcissism.” The traits of this mental illness consist of regular egocentricity, paranoia, a poor sense of self and lack of empathy.
A narcissist can be a dangerous person. His/her “insatiable need for attention leads him or her to seek out a steady source of admiration. Where that is in short supply, the narcissist prefers to inspire fear or hatred than suffer the nightmare of being ignored. And unable to empathize, they are indifferent to the consequences of hurting people” (Adrian Tempany, FT, September 3, 2010).
Griffith’s desire for attention is evident in his response to Kambon and those who criticize him. He noted that the “vast amount of citizens are behind the GG” which implies that his conduct is unimpeachable because the general public loves him. He even commissioned a poll to support this position.
There is no denying that a little dose of narcissism in a leader is a good thing. It “protects [him] from self-harm; it enables [him] to form support networks, to find a mate and to procreate” (Tempany). It becomes disastrous when it contaminates his whole person.
Jennifer Senior called Donald Trump a malignant narcissist who possesses “a defect in moral conscience that is emblematic of psychopaths…. Their self-esteem cannot self-repair” (New York Times, January 10, 2020). This led De Vries to ask: “How does one stop that [little dose of narcissism] from progressing to someone like Donald Trump, whom he calls ‘a malignant narcissist.'” (FT, March 7, 2021).
Griffith’s narcissism prevents him from listening to others and responding to their points of view in a rational way. When a commissioner sets up a vulnerable segment of the population for elimination or persecution, then he has violated his mandate and should be replaced.
Kambon is correct. Griffith should be removed from his office of power unless he seeks treatment for his personality disorder. The psychological health and safety of the country depend of it.