Ag says no need for apology to CoP

James Philbert is not getting an apology from Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Opposition Keith Rowley demanded the apology last week saying Ramlogan was out of line in his harsh criticism of the Acting Police Commissioner with respect to the lack of police action to stem looting at the construction site of the controversial church at Guanapo.

The Integrity Commission is investigating the project to determine if there was any breach of Trinidad and Tobago's anti-corruption laws.

Ramlogan said looters may have tampered with valuable evidence and told reporters he would ask the national security minister to demand that Philbert give an adequate explanation for the failure of police to secure the facility.

Ramlogan suggested that if Philbert's performance was less than what is expected his appointment could be terminated by the Police Service Commission.

Philbert said Ramlogan's statement showed “contempt, disdain, bias and animosity for the office of Commissioner of Police.”

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There have been many calls for the AG to issue an apology. However Ramlogan said Monday that's not going to happen. "There is no need for an apology," he said in a brief statement to the media.

He said he is “happy that the law enforcement agencies have responded to the challenge posed by the public looting at the church and have restored calm, law and order...public officials must be held accountable. We cannot expect different results if we continue doing things the same way.”

He insisted: "Failure to perform should result in a letter of warning, disciplinary action and termination by the relevant and competent authorities."

Philbert's latest contract expires at the end of September. However that is likely to end earlier because the government has approved the appointment of a new police commissioner. He is Canadian Dwayne Gibbs, former Superintendent of Police in the province of Alberta.