Police chief offers apology to T&T's pannists

Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert apologized to the pannists Monday for the pains they had to endure at the hands of police in the early days when members of pan sides were harassed by police.

Philbert spoke at the annual police concert titled "The Many Moods of Christmas" at Queen's Hall.

The police chief said he wants to repair the damage caused by his predecessors.

Philbert’s apology came as celebrated pannist/composer Len “Boogsie” Sharpe was commended for his work as part of the Police Service’s ongoing program to honour people who have made significant contributions to culture.

Philbert praised Boogsie as he made his dramatic statement: “There was a time when you would see me coming and you would pick up your pan and run," he said.

"You cannot separate the pan and the panman although a calypsonian sang about pan gone and the panman still here...Panmen endured beating and insults," he noted.

"We want to remove all the cashew stains we have put on all those who went before you; those who took their neighbour washtubs to make pan," Philbert said.