Cabinet rejects Snaggs for top cop post

The recommendation by the Police Service Commission for the immediate appointment of Ag Commissioner Everald Snaggs to the post has been rejected by the majority of Cabinet members.

The PSC, led by Kenneth Lalla, made the recommendation three weeks ago. Snaggs was described as a breath of fresh air to the office of the Commissioner, and he was described as the person most suited for the job. Sources revealed that Cabinet is divided on the appointment of Snaggs and the matter has been deferred until January. Newsday learnt that several Cabinet ministers are in favour of the appointment of ACP Crime James Philbert for the top post. Snaggs, who has been acting Commissioner since July, is expected to proceed on pre-retirement in May next year.

Sources revealed that Cabinet is in favour of the recommendation of the Ken Gordon Crime Committee that the vacancy for police commissioner be openly advertised. This recommendation is expected to be put in place in early January. However, sources revealed that both Prime Minister Patrick Manning and National Security Minister Martin Joseph are in favour of Philbert being the new Commissioner. However, in terms of seniority, several officers are senior to Philbert. They are: Deputy Commissioners Trevor Paul, Glen Roach and Assistant Commissioners Celestine Richards, Oswyn Allard, Winston Cooper, Nazamul Hosein, and Deochand Gosein. Senior officers said yesterday that they have no problem with Snaggs being appointed as Commissioner.

They are also in favour of the next senior person Trevor Paul being appointed commissioner on the retirement of Snaggs.“We have no problem with Philbert because he is a no nonsense officer with a wealth of ideas for the upliftment of the service, but to appoint him ahead of other senior officers will be a slap in the face for those officers who have moved up the rank and are deserving of the post,” said two senior officers yesterday. The senior officer admitted that a crisis now exists in the service with several officers proceeding on pre-retirement leave. Some vacancies are yet to be filled.

On Wednesday, head of Central Division, Snr Supt Dawson Victor, was transferred to Southern Division, mere weeks after he was posted there. He is expected to be replaced by Snr Supt Spencer Farrel. Also on on Wednesday, Snr Supt Stephen Quashie retired as head of Western Division and that post is yet to be filled, while in the Northern Division a vacancy exists for a senior Supt. There has also been talk in the Police Service that Peter Joseph, head of the special unit, is also being groomed for the post of Commissioner.