to vacate the office of acting Commissioner of Police in order to "pave the way" for a smooth transition for the new police chief to take up duties.Persad-Bissessar also told reporters Philbert will be paid for the full term although he was asked to leave before the end of his contract.
Deputy Commissioner Stephen Williams is acting commissioner until Canadian Dwayne Gibbs arrives in the middle of September to begin his three-year contract as Commissioner of Police (CoP).
Opposition Leader Keith Rowley is leading a chorus of protest against Philbert's removal. Rowley claims the move was political. And others, including Dana Seetahal SC and former PSC chairman Stephen Thomas, have said the PSC breached Philbert's contract.
Persad-Bissessar made it clear that the former top cop will get paid for the entire duration of his contract.
"I've already asked the Minister of National Security to pay him the one month's money so he will not in any way be disadvantaged by his extension being shortened from three months to two months," she said.
She also thanked Philbert for his efforts but insisted that he was not fired. "Mr Philbert was not sent home, and he himself said it," she explained. And she thanked him for his service to Trinidad and Tobago.
At the same time she lamented the fact that Philbert was kept on a short leash, with only acting appointments since 2008.
"It is very sad and regrettable that Commissioner of Police Philbert was acting as CoP for so long. But, we cannot remedy that wrong for the period of time he was left there to languish as acting.
"He should have gone home on retirement as the Commissioner of Police, it makes a difference to pension package and so on, so to Mr Philbert I am sorry but that was before our time," she said.
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