$8 million spent on problem uniforms

The Government has forked out $8 million on newly designed uniforms for the T&T Police Service (TTPS). Sergeant Michael Seales, secretary of the Police Social and Welfare Association, yesterday confirmed that he had  instructed the service’s 6,000 police officers not to wear the uniforms, which were purchased last April, as he cited a number of problems which needed to be addressed. The new uniforms, which has cost taxpayers $8 million, Seales said, was navy blue. Opposition MP Donna Cox on Friday raised the issue of another questionable purchase by Gibbs—this time some newly designed uniforms for the TTPS which, she claimed, Cabinet had not approved. Cox said the uniforms were just sitting at the warehouse of the Quartermaster in Port-of-Spain. To compound matters, Seales said an Arima warehouse which was rented from a popular East businessman at a cost of $200,000 a month last year, to store the uniforms and equipment of the TTPS had never been used.

 

However, Seales said for the new uniforms to be worn legislative amendment must be made to the Police Service Act and regulations. Seales said the amendments would outline the type and description of the uniforms to safeguard all officers in the line of duty. The changing of the uniform, Seales said, was first raised in a meeting by Gibbs last year during the introduction of the 21st Century Policing Initiative in the Western Division. “We told him we (association) would consider it and we would have to take it to the membership before a decision was made.” Seales said they thought the uniforms had to be bought.

“We did not know that the uniforms had already been purchased. It was an attempt to blindside the association.” Shortly after, Seales said, officers attached to the Western Division were threatened to collect their uniforms at the Quartermaster stores and forced to wear it. “It was just a ploy by Gibbs to introduce it in the Western Division, but it was supposed to be throughout the police service. We have rejected the uniform already and will continue to do so.”

 

Seales said several police officers had the uniform in their possession but could not wear it. The TTPS, Seales said, could very well be saddled with the uniforms since they were not pleased with how the situation was handled. The uniform, Seales said, came in a package informing them how to care for the garment. One of the complaints registered by the association, Seales said, was that it can only be washed in liquid laundry detergent and should not be dried in direct sunlight. Seales said if members are allergic to the uniform’s material, this could raise some health and safety issues. Stating that he was unaware of the uniform supplier, when and where it was purchased, Seales said he sent a letter to Gibbs to answer a number of questions surround the new uniforms, which he was yet to respond to. “We would have had some information that some things were not done above board.” Public information officer of the Police Service Sgt Wayne Mystar when contacted yesterday refused comment.