Police executive reshuffles to fill Guy’s shoes

SEVERAL changes are being made within the executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) as two senior executive members go on pre-retirement leave from today, senior officers told Newsday yesterday. Not only has Deputy Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs moved up the ranks to Acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) for the outgoing Hilton Guy, but Assistant Commissioner of Police (Tobago), Glen Roach, has been promoted to acting Deputy Commissioner of Police, replacing Snaggs. Roach may have to hold two hats until Homicide head, Sr Supt James Philbert, returns from England where he is on a training programme.  Philbert is expected to act as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Crime on his return. Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Peter John will also join Guy in pre-retirement today.  John will hand over to former South Western head, Sr Supt Dennis Graham, who has 37 years’ service. Graham, 55, has an extensive educational background. He has achieved education at the Master’s level and has completed several diverse short courses, including business law and project management. He yesterday confirmed his promotion and said he was informed last Thursday. “I am looking forward to it,” Graham said, pointing out that the Police Service has several qualified First Division officers. “I am one of them,” he said.

Also expected to join the executive is Sr Supt Curtis Lloyd, who will act as ACP, but sources said they can’t say in what capacity as yet. Lloyd is based at the Police Training College.  Sources also said that Supt Paulimos Alfonso of the Southern Division will move one step up to act as Sr Supt of the South Western Division, replacing Graham. Late yesterday, the Ministry of Public Administration issued a press release to announce the appointment of Deputy Commissioner Snaggs as the Acting Police Commissioner. Snaggs joined the Police Service on May 6, 1963 and eight years later was promoted to Corporal. He moved up the ranks to the post of sergeant in December 1973, to Inspector in November 1978, Assistant Superintendent in December 1982, Superintendent in January 1987, and to Snr Supt in 1989. Three years later he was promoted, this time to Assistant Commissioner in December 1992. His appointment as Deputy Commissioner came in July 1998.