AG "mad, upset and vexed", suggests that Philbert could be fired

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan is urging National Security Minister Brig. John Sandy to "deal firmly" with Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert over developments at the controversial church at Guanapo.

Ramlogan has been critical of Philbert's response to widespread looting at the construction site of the church that is linked to former Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his spiritual adviser, Rev. Juliana Pena.

On Wednesday, two people who went into the premises to scavenge for materials were injured when a scaffolding fell and destroyed a section of the structure. Looters subsequently went in and took away whatever they could.

Read the story: Part of Guanapo church collapses; looters move in

In response to the lack of police action, Ramlogan hinted that Philbert could be fired.
The AG was visibly angry when he addressed reporters at Thursday's post cabinet news conference and demanded to know what Philbert plans to do about looting.

Ramlogan said he would urge Sandy "to advise the Police Commissioner to take immediate steps to protect the site...and with respect to those persons who were looting, unless they can show proof of ownership, they better start building back that structure fast.”

He added, "If the Police Commissioner doesn’t have good explanation and answers as to why he failed to act, it would then be a matter for the Police Service Commission."

There is a minor glitch with the PSC since its term expired on Wednesday June 30. However, Ramlogan said "there will be a new Police Service Commission in place to decide what to do about that".

He added that "it simply cannot be right, when we are facing a terrifying tsunami of crime, that this could be allowed to take place and the Commissioner of Police not have good answers as to why he didn’t intervene...

"We are mad, upset and vexed, as is the population, and we would join with the population in demanding answers," he declared.

Philbert must be held accountable for his action or "inaction" Ramlogan said, adding that if the explanation is not a good one, his acting appointment could come "to an accelerated and premature end."

The Police Service Commission (PSC) recently extended Philbert's contract until the end of September to allow more time for a decision on appointing a new commissioner.

Last week Parliament rejected the PSC's top nominee for the post over an apparent conflict of interest. This Friday, the government will propose that the House of Representatives accept the recommendation to accept the nomination of Canadian Dwayne Gibbs, the number two candidate on the merit list.

Read the story: PM Kamla prefers national as CoP but Canadian likely to get the job

Philbert reacted to the AG's statements Thursday night, telling the media that he has done his job and has also been liaising with Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Roger Gaspard on the church issues.

He also suggested that the Attorney General does not have the power to "appoint, shorten, discontinue or influence the tenure of service of a police officer or the Commissioner of Police".

The acting CoP stated that so far the Police Service has been unable to establish "true ownership of the property" adding that "This must be established in order to address the issue (of) larceny or any like offence."

Philbert denied that the matter was "trivialised". He said investigators reported that the builders, Shanghai Construction, had ceased worked and removed equipment and material from the property because they were owed money.

"Whatever advice the DPP gave to the Commissioner was heeded," he stated adding that police are trying to find out the source of funds used to build the church. There are allegations that State funds were improperly used for then project but the former government has denied that.

Philbert noted that because the property is now abandoned "the whole question of looting or any form of larceny cannot arise". He described Ramloan's comments as exhibiting "contempt, disdain, bias and animosity for the office of Commissioner of Police."

Philbert also accused the AG of coming to "a hasty conclusion" without consulting him.

Read related story: Only CoP and God know why