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Government is expected to seal the deal on the contract with Gary Griffith before acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams goes on his pre-retirement leave on August 8.
This was the information from a source close to the Government yesterday, as they pointed out Griffith may pick up duties as CoP sooner than the country thinks.
Asked how soon Griffith would assume the CoP duties, the source explained that the process of appointment begins with the Parliament writing to the President Paula-Mae Weekes to inform her that notification for the nomination of a CoP had been completed and approved on Monday.
“The PSC now awaits the contracting aspect. The contracting aspect is between the designate and the Ministry of National Security. Those terms and conditions are settled and then Cabinet confirms the terms and conditions of contract via Cabinet approval. Once that is completed it is sent forward for the PSC to perfect the process of the appointment,” the Government source explained.
The terms of the condition would involve the length of the contract, remuneration and other perks that would be worked out. Griffith’s contract could fall into the $60,000 a month region because he was recruited from outside the Police Service.
As far as monetary compensation is concerned, the Salaries Review Commission recommends a monthly salary of $31,080 but that holds for those appointed from within the T&T Police Service.
It will also be decided if Griffith and his family will take up residence at the commissioner’s residence in St James. It was noted, however, that they will have to decide if the residence is to be renovated and outfitted for him or if Griffith will instead opt for the almost $8,000 monthly housing allowance.
Once the terms and conditions are finalised Cabinet gives its approval. Griffith will then sign on the dotted line and will receive his instrument of appointment from the Police Service Commission.
Asked what is the time frame within which Griffith can pick up work once this is out of the way, the source replied, “With immediacy.”
He said having been given information that “Williams is due to go on vacation on August 8, then one would assume that this process, having been perfected from the Parliament’s end, that the rest of it will move with alacrity. I can’t say that this would not take a very long period of time.”
On April 1, Williams was given his 13th extension as acting CoP for six months and this will end on September 30.