National Security Minister wants T&T national for CoP

National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy told reporters Sunday his preference is for a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to be appointed as the country's Commissioner of Police (CoP).

"I personally would like to see a local commissioner. I don’t think that any police officer, from Constable, would not want to sit in that chair," Sandy said.

He is the first top government official to make such a clear statement on the issue. His position is similar to the one held by opposition leader Keith Rowley.

Sandy dismissed suggestions that a local CoP may not be able to curb the level of crime, saying there is no guarantee that a foreigner would be stronger in the post.

"What we want to do is to diminish crime in Trinidad and Tobago. Whatever we need to do to achieve that we are going to do it," Sandy said.

He said having a national in the top police post is an incentive to officers to look forward to rising within the ranks to the highest office.

"If that is tarnished in any way it could affect the individual who wants to reach the top, it’s a natural thing. A foreign CoP could demoralise the police officers," he suggested.

Sandy said the legal advice he has received suggests that changing the present legislation on appointing a Cop would take at least one year because Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar wants to consult with all the relevant authorities.

Sandy'a suggestion to deal with the recuritment problem is to state clearly in the application invitation that only nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who qualify for the job would be considered.

He said he is not in a position to say if acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert would get another extension at the end of September, noting that such decisions are made by the Police Service Commission (PSC).