Police chief gets to keep his job until Sept. 30

James Philbert is keeping his job as Acting Police Commissioner for another three months.

The Police Service Commission stated Monday that it is extending Philbert's contract until September 30. It's the fourth extension for the police chief who has pledged to continue working "for God and country".

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told the media she is aware of PSC decision and advised that her government is "actively engaged in the very important process of appointing a Commissioner of Police".

She said she will hold talks with several interest groups Tuesday in advance of the Parliamentary debate on who will get the job as police commissioner.

There are five names in the order of merit - four foreigners and one local - Stephen Williams.

The PSC also announced the appointment of Williams as Acting Deputy Commissioner replacing Gilbert Reyes.

The PSC's number one choice for the commissioner's job is Canadian Neal Parker. But the Police Social and Welfare Association is asking the prime minister to use her veto to block that, saying it prefers a national for the job.

Opposition leader Dr Keith Rowley also objects to a foreigner holding the top police post.

If the PM agrees with them, then the job will most likely go to Williams, who was the number one choice of the PSC in 2008. But then Prime Minister Patrick Manning vetoed the appointment, saying Williams didn't have the experience needed for then job.

He also said the recruitment process was flawed, a charged that was dismissed by the PSC. Rowley had supported the government in denying Williams the post.

Rowley is not happy with the system for selecting a police chief and hopes to meet with the prime minister to disucss the matter.

"I think we need to review that very quickly and in fact in my capacity as Opposition Leader, the caucus has authorised me to, at some time later on, to talk with the Prime Minister...because I’m interested on what the Government has to say on this matter," Rowley told reorters Monday.

He added that the system for slection "is not entirely workable, it is not acceptable... And if that system is going to turn up a foreign commissioner and possibly two other deputy commissioners that are foreign as well, we need to look at that system again to see whether that is the objective of that assignment," he said.