Top cop calls out his vacationing troops

ALL police officers currently on vacation, except those proceeding to pre-retirement leave or out of the country, are to report on Monday August 23 at 10 am to the Senior Superintendent, Administration Branch, Port-of-Spain for duty. The order came from Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul. Yesterday, Paul said there has been a public outcry from law abiding members of society for a long time. “We realise now we have to do more than we are doing.” Paul said the officers currently available did not afford him the opportunity to do as much as he wanted. “One way I can improve on what I am doing is to have more resources available to me.” Paul said he hoped the recall would impact positively on the fight against crime. Another member of the Police Service executive said, “We have recognised the cries and the demands of you, the client, and have decided to reinforce the service by bringing in extra muscle.

“Yes, there is a crime problem out there and we intend to attack it on all fronts and with full force.” The senior officer could not say how long this plan would be implemented for or how the matter of the accumulated leave would be handled. Officials at the Police Social and Welfare Association were unavailable for comment. A former PSWA official said when an officer went on accumulated leave, part of the agreement was that his leave can be cut and he can be called back to service. The official however expressed anger at the press release. “While the executive might have a new crime plan, they are exposing it in the media. That is wrong. “When leave is recalled it must be done by notification and not the media. The commissioner’s office knows how to do that.” The official also said that long leave is any period more than 14 days, which must be approved by the Senior Supt of Police at Police Administration.