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Photo: STEPHEN DOOBAY
AG meets with Gibbs and deputy
....Packages not yet worked out
By Akile Simon
Story Created: Aug 17, 2010 at 12:26 AM ECT
Story Updated: Aug 17, 2010 at 2:03 AM ECT
FOR THE first time yesterday, prospective Commissioner of Police, Canadian Dwayne Gibbs, and one of his deputies, Jack Ewatski met with Government officials.
Both men met with Attorney General Anand Ramlogan and National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy at the AG's office in Port of Spain.
Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary in the National Security Ministry Jennifer Bocaud-Blake and June Thomas of the Human Resource Unit.
At the end of a closed door meeting which lasted about six hours, both men agreed to the terms and conditions outlined in their contracts, but Cabinet has to give the final approval, Ramlogan said during a phone interview last evening.
Ramlogan said Ewatski indicated that he would be available to take up his duties as soon as a decision was taken by Cabinet.
He said, "We were able to successfully conclude at around 4.30 p.m., today (yesterday) as both Mr Gibbs and Ewatski accepted the terms and condition being offered to them.
"What we would do now is take it to Cabinet to get approval and once it is approved, Ewatski will immediately come on board since he has indicated that he will be available," Ramlogan said.
He said Gibbs indicated he had a previous commitment which should be completed by next month, before he fully comes on board. "He has to participate in a competition in triathlon in Canada which is scheduled to take place in mid-September. They have agreed," Ramlogan said.
Earlier yesterday, the media were allowed into the room where the meeting took place for a photo opportunity, but advised that no questions were going to be entertained.
Hours after the meeting was over, the Express contacted both men who stated that no final decision was arrived at regarding their remuneration packages. They are expected to depart for Canada from 9.30 this morning. They have stated that they would soon return to the country to perform their roles once the negotiations are finalised.
"At this point in time I'm not willing to make any comment regarding the negotiations because they have not been completed and it would not be appropriate," Gibbs said when contacted yesterday.
Ewatski said, "I am still in the process of dealing with the agreement with regards to terms and conditions. I am very excited about the opportunity that is being presented to me and I am looking forward to working with the Trinidad and Tobago Government.
"Once everything is finalised, I'm looking forward to assuming my role as deputy Commissioner of Police," Ewatski said during a phone interview.
Shortly before 11 p.m., on Sunday, both men arrived on the same plane at the Piarco International Airport from Toronto, Canada and were whisked away in two marked police vehicles to the Trinidad Hilton.
Ewatski and fellow Deputy Commissioners Maurice Piggott and Stephen Williams were previously approved by Parliament.
