PSC: New CoP soon

THE POLICE Service Commission (PSC) is to make an appointment for the post of Commissioner of Police in due course, PSC chairman Kenneth Lalla told Newsday yesterday.

Lalla said he could not say how soon the appointment would be made but that: “It will be done very soon.” He also said that no decision has been taken to advertise the post of Commissioner of Police. In the meantime, however, Lalla said Acting Commissioner of Police Everald Snaggs would continue to act in the position. The PSC chairman said further that the person who is appointed for the post must be the most suitable. Lalla added that the Police Service Comm-ission would propose its Commissioner of Police choice to Prime Minister Patrick Manning, who he said must be consulted in accordance with the Constitution. Snaggs began acting in the position on July 15 after outgoing Commissioner of Police Hilton Guy went on pre-retirement leave. Guy’s pre-retirement leave officially ended on September 21 - his 60th birthday. 

Since Snaggs took over the Commissi-oner of Police chair, Lalla said, Snaggs has brought a “breath of fresh air” to the TT Police Service. At an impromptu press conference last week, Lalla had told the media it is quite clear that Snaggs and the Minister of National Security have been able to mobilise the resources and take control of the management of the Police Service. But yesterday, however, Guy, retorted that if Lalla were suffocated with a “breath of fresh air”, he would not even recognise it. “He (Lalla) is there too long,” Guy said. Guy added that he has never had problems with the Police Service Commission, only Lalla. Lalla had said at the press conference that previous Commissioners of Police had complained of being “toothless bulldogs” in managing the Police Service. However, Lalla stated categorically then that the Commission is only responsible for appointments, promotions, discipline, confirmation and removal of officers.