PNM MP Donna Cox: Gibbs spent big money on unused uniforms

Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs has spent “a lot of money” to buy newly designed police uniforms before this was approved by Cabinet, PNM MP Donna Cox said yesterday. Cox also alleged that Crime Stoppers—which is funded by the National Security Ministry—paid for Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Ewatski and his wife to attend a conference in Jamaica during the state of emergency last year. Cox made the claims during yesterday’s House of Representatives session in debate on a motion to increase police pensions. On the newly designed police uniforms, Cox said, “I would like to know where those uniforms are, as they are new designs. I understand they’re lying around somewhere...the police are concerned about it.”

Noting that yesterday’s debate concerned great expenditure for the police pensions, Cox added, “We’d like the minister to tell us what are the plans for these newly designed uniforms if Cabinet did not approve the acquisition.” Cox suggested Government should, “Check the Quartermaster’s stores on Wrightson Road,” Port-of-Spain. Cox said there was  concern about the issue especially since the Police Commissioner had also signed a contract for under $1 million last September for the controversial light airplane to do police patrols and National Security Minister John Sandy was unaware of it. She asked if National Security Adviser to the PM, Gary Griffith was aware of that contract.

 Cox also said Ewatski had been flying with directors of the light aircraft’s company and this “blatant favouritism” must cause concern if T&T is getting value for its money. She also cited e-mails among officials of the light airplane company which alluded to “sealing the deal.” Cox said that situation must make the public uncomfortable as well. Cox added, “When a contract was signed for use of a toy plane, sight unseen when it had not yet arrived in T&T, it’s a cause for concern,” Cox said the Air Guard was also left out of consultations on the airplane recruitment.

 Questioning the accountability in the airplane issue, Cox queried if it was a coincidence the contract was just under $1m—the  peak figure which the CoP was allowed to handle. “So when newly designed uniforms are bought taxpayers’ funds and are just lying in a warehouse, that’s cause for concern,” Cox added. “When deputy CoP Jack Ewatski and his wife were in Jamaica last year at a training conference paid for by taxpayers’ funds —Crime Stoppers—and Crime Stoppers is also funded by the National Security Ministry, that is also cause for concern.” Cox said the PNM  Government had recognised the need for the CoP to control his own budget and this formed part of reorganisation of the police service. But she said the officer had to be accountable on contracts.

Gibbs did not reply to calls on the issue yesterday. National Security Minister John Sandy in subsequent debate, said Cox  should direct her inquiries on the newly designed police uniforms to the police’s accounting officer: “...Not (direct queries) here...” Sandy added.
“No, no... so where else?” PNM MPs protested. Cox,  in debate also said police needed to be more people-friendly. She called for the new police pension increases to apply to special reserve police as well.