PSC concerned that CoP Gibbs and Deputy CoP Ewatski are absent at this time

File photo: CoP Dwayne Gibbs (in dark suit) and Deputy CoP Jack Ewatski

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday said it is alarmed and concerned over the procedure and protocol employed by Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs for his leave of absence from the country.

Gibbs is in Brazil attending a conference. Stephen Williams is acting police commissioner. One of the country's three deputy commissioners, Jack Ewatski, is also absent from the country.

In a media release the PSC noted that the two are absent when the country is in a limited State of Emergency.

It also warned that Gibbs could be fired. The release noted that under the provisions of the Constitution of T&T the commissioner could be fired if he is absent for seven days without informing the PSC. 

Gibbs has not been out of the country that long.

The PSC said it plans to write Gibbs and Ewatski asking for an explanation.

"The Police Service Commission is therefore seeking to give Commissioner Gibbs and Deputy Commissioner Ewatski the fullest opportunity to be heard and shall be writing these two gentlemen to ask them to explain and account for their absences," the release stated.