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alexk
Guest
Incoming Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith says “time is not on my side and I have no intention to ask for a honeymoon period,” as he gets ready to assume the job of top cop.
Griffith admits that it is an “enormous task” to ensure that the fundamental right of all law-abiding citizens to “safety and security,” but he committed to doing “all that is required to ensure that your most fundamental right is provided within the law.
In an official statement issued to the media minutes after his nomination was approved by the Parliament by a vote of 19 for and 13 abstentions, Griffith acknowledged that he cannot do it on his own.
He reached out to officers within the Police Service who may have concerns assuring them “I am well aware that I can never do this on my own, and I am certain, despite what is reported in the mainstream media, those who took the oath to protect and serve, will do so with pride.”
Griffith, a former captain of the Regiment, reminded the officers “a team is as strong as its weakest link, and part of my role is to ensure all links are bolstered,” he said.
It may be some weeks before Griffith actually assumes the role of Commissioner and he asked that “you endure with me until the appointment is made official and the handover is complete.”
He said there is an Acting Commissioner of Police in the chair and it would be “inappropriate,” to say much more regarding his “aim and methods to be used in the direction of law enforcement operational policies and re-branding the direction of the Service at this time.”
Griffith did reveal, however, that part of his strategy will include intelligence-led policing.
He said he intends to utilise leadership, management, accountability and measurement of performance as standards of practice, while implementing methodologies that will advance a “strategic, future-oriented, targeted approach to crime control, focusing upon the identification analysis and management, of persisting and developing problems or risks, also known as intelligence-led policing.”
He acknowledged there are citizens who may have been sceptical about him becoming Commissioner.
“It is my intention to win over your trust and support in the very near future,” he said.
Griffith said his appointment was not a time to “celebrate,” but to give “thanks,” to God for affording him the opportunity to serve the country in another direction, “different to my previous position of service, but at this time perhaps, a more critical and crucial role.” Griffith, who previously served an advisor on National Security matters to the Prime Minister, under the UNC administration, and also served as National Security Minister, is the first civilian to head the Police Service.
He acknowledged the “weight of expectation, and the impact on my family, as such, our focus remains facing forward to the task ahead.”
Griffith thanked everyone who expressed “overwhelming support” to him via personal messages, or their public comments through different arms of social or traditional media, and via the numerous polls conducted over the past few months.
The post of Commissioner of Police at this time, he said, “is arguably one of the most difficult and thankless.”
He said many had asked why he offered his service, the response he said is simple, “I have dedicated my life to serve my country at any level that I can to make this a better place for citizens.”
Griffith said he would do “what is required, within the law, to achieve just that.”
He paid tribute to outgoing Acting Commissioner Stephen Williams for his “immense contribution, sacrifice, commitment and dedication to duty.”
Williams has served as Acting Commissioner for the past six years following the resignation of Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs.
Griffith said Williams had “served the country well, and I am sure he would continue to do so.” Williams is expected to proceed on vacation next month.
He also thanked the Members of Parliament, whom he said on behalf of their constituents “have entrusted me with their votes of confidence.”
ABOUT GARY GRIFFITH
Having served as a member of the T&T Defence Force for 15 years, Gary Griffith was appointed in 2013 national security minister under the People’s Partnership administration.
A past student of St Mary’s College, Griffith began his military career in 1988 where he was immediately commissioned by then President Noor Hassanali (now deceased) to the rank of second lieutenant.
After undergoing an intensive one-year recruiting training programme in Trinidad, Griffith was selected to attend the prestigious and world-renowned Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Surrey England, where he attended a one-year platoon commander course in England, Wales and Cyprus which earned him a Brunei Award.
Upon his return to Trinidad, Griffith held several levels of command among those being the Platoon Commander, Detachment Commander, Company Second in Command and Adjunct.
He was actively engaged in operations of the 1990 attempted coup to ensure democracy was upheld and maintained.
From 1995 to 1999, Griffith was appointed as the Aide to the Chief of the Defence Staff under Brigadier General Carl Alfonso.
Having assumed the role as captain, Griffith was then appointed administrative, finance, welfare and logistics officer for over 300 troops from the Caricom forces that participated in the United Nations mission in Haiti, where he obtained a UN’s Peacekeeping Medal.
In 2000, Griffith was personally requested by then UNC prime minister Basdeo Panday to work directly with him initially as comptroller of the PM’s residence.
Thereafter he was appointed as a military attache to Panday.
As a former UNC senator, Griffith became a security advisor to the party from 2006 to 2010.
In 2013, Griffith was appointed the PP’s fourth national security minister by then prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, a post he held for two years before being removed.
Griffith is a holder of an MSc in Security management from the Department of Criminology in the University of Leicester, United Kingdom.