The controversy over the Police Service Commission's (PSC) performance appraisals of the top brass of the Police Service continues, with Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs admitting there is "tension" between himself and the commission. National Security Minister John Sandy also has added his voice, saying he was "very concerned" by issues raised by Gibbs and Deputy Police Commissioner Jack Ewatski. Gibbs also called for a speedy resolution. Neither he nor Ewatski have received a reply to letters they sent to the PSC. The top cop was speaking after the launch of the Maritime and Port Security Counter-terrorism Training Programme, at the Police Service Academy, St James Barracks, yesterday. Asked to described his relationship with the commission, Gibbs said: "Certainly there is a certain amount of tension now, just because of all the media attention on these appraisals." Gibbs, through his lawyer Dana Seetahal, SC, wrote to the commission asking for a copy of his appraisal and the criteria used in conducting it.
Ewatski, who is in charge of operations Of the Police Service, refused to sign his appraisal, saying the process was seriously flawed. He submitted a six-page letter to the commission's chairman, Professor Ramesh Deosaran, on February 29, detailing instances in which he firmly believed he was unfairly appraised. Ewatski, who said he was yet to receive a response from the commission, also said he, like Gibbs, was denied a copy of his appraisal and the criteria used to evaluate his performance. Gibbs maintained yesterday his professional relationship with the commission was intact, adding that both were working towards a common goal. He said: "In terms of a working relationship... a professional side of the house... we're both working towards the same ends and that's to create a better Police Service, one that nationally we could be proud of, internationally we could meet all the standards. "That is our purpose from both sides and of course the advantage to that is when we have a Police Service that is number one, that would help us to deal with our crime issues."
Calling on the Police Service and the commission to work together, Gibbs said the focus should be anti-crime initiatives. He added: "The whole issue is really that we need to work together and we need to forge ahead in our crime initiatives to further the development of the Police Service so we can actually reduce and contain crime here in Trinidad and Tobago." He added that tension created obstacles which hindered progress. He said: "You always want good resolve of any kind of tensions that might be there because they interfere with our opportunity to move forward, and so, yes... it would be nice to see a speedy resolution in terms of where we go from here." At a Joint Select Committee meeting in Parliament about a month ago, Deosaran branded Gibbs as "disrespectful," saying he had refused to provide the commission with information on the status of police investigations. Asked if he believed the commission had overstepped its bounds. given that some probes were of a sensitive nature, Gibbs said the commission was free to have its own opinion.
He added: "When it comes to performance appraisals, it is, again, a personal issue between the employer and the employee, and certainly I would not make a comment on it. "The comments made by certain individuals - I won't comment on what they have said. Questioned whether being branded an "unsatisfactory" performer and being "disrespectful" has had any personal effect on him, Gibbs stayed clear of comment, saying it was "all wrapped up in the performance appraisal."
Sandy, who was the feature speaker at the launch, said: "I must be concerned. I am very concerned."
However, maintaining that he "didn't want to usurp anybody's authority," Sandy said it was not his intention to intervene. "The authority to do any sort of appraisal on the two officers is not mine," Sandy said, adding he was also not willing "at this juncture" to intervene. He added: "I don't know that there will be a backlash. I know there would be elements of discomfort. Everything is depending on how this thing turns out but I'm not going to usurp anybody's responsibility."