Warner says selection process for CoP "oppressive, promises to seek changes

File: Jack Warner. "There is nowhere is the world where a commissioner of police has to go through this torture of appointment."

Jack Warner said on Friday the procedure to select and appoint a police commissioner is "most oppressive". However he said in order for it to be effective the Parliament have to make changes to the process.

Speaking with reporters at a media briefing at the Hyatt in Port of Spain, the minister said he has spoke with his cabinet colleague, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, about how to amend the rules.

Last week the Police Service Commission (PSC) extended for another six months the acting appointing of Stephen Williams who was made acting police commissioner when Canadian Dwayne Gibbs resigned. His first six-month assignment ends on January 31.

Warner said this is not a good situation. "What do you tell a man, that every six months he has to act? And if we continue to go along the road we are going, it would take at least two years before the process is completed.” 

Last year the PSC chairman said the commission is too cumbersome and described the selection process for a commissioner as a “tangled web.” Warner agreed. 

He said while Williams may be comforted that his job is secure for another six months he is unhappy because the system "is the most oppressive system of appointment I have seen anywhere.”

He added, "This is wrong, it is unpardonable. It should never have happened. There is nowhere is the world where a commissioner of police has to go through this torture of appointment."

Warner also announced some promotions in the Defence Force. Brig. Kenrick Maharaj will hold the rank of major general; Commanding Officer Anthony Phillips-Spencer will be Vice-Chief of Defence Staff and Col. Rodney Smart will assume the position of head of the T&T Regiment. The appointments are effective February 1. Warner said the promotions were long overdue.