Police are addressing the matter which former police commissioner Gary Griffith wrote to acting Police Commissioner McDonald Jacob recently, seeking a probe of “possible misbehaviour in public office and possible sedition” by former Police Service Commission (PSC) chairman Bliss Seepersad.
Griffith had also called for the probe to include anyone who prevented the last commission from doing its job.
The police response was confirmed by top police source yesterday.
Parliament on Friday approved notification for Jacob to be appointed acting Police Commissioner.
Griffith wrote Jacob on October 13– when Griffith was acting CoP– on a “request and report” for a probe on “conspiracy to violate the Constitution for possible misbehaviour in public office by Seepersad and anyone that prevented/influenced the commission from doing their job .”
This concerned Seepersad and the CoP merit list done by the commission in her tenure. After Griffith’s contract ended on August 17, a selection process was done.
Seepersad took a list of seven nominees– including Griffith’s name–to President’s House around August 12 , but withdrew the list.
National Security Council chairman Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, in Parliament on Monday, stated a report by two retired security heads on firearms issue– and other reports formed part of a National Security exercise currently underway and which will move to conclusion at the appropriate time
Griffith, in his October letter, told Jacob that on September 2021, he had a conversation with commission members on John’s probe.
He said the commission had “no authority” to launch that unless it directly related to a commissioner or deputy being seen as a suspect.
He said that wasn’t the case as stated by John and it meant the commission “acted outside their authority.”
Based on the conversation with the members, Griffith said, “It gave me good reason to believe they were directed, instructed, influenced by external forces not (sic) prevent the completed merit list from going forward.”
Griffith said he was also told by a commission member they were “stopped and influenced by a certain Government official.”
Griffith further stated he “overheard” that National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds communicated with Seepersad to “ensure he didn’t return to office after his vacation.”
Griffith wrote Jacob again on Thursday noting he’d submitted three reports when he was commissioner and sent reminders to Jacob after, “seeking immediate investigations” - but was yet to receive “even acknowledgement” of his report.
Griffith claimed he had since been further advised the merit list was indeed stamped as being received at President’s House and “that the commission’s chairman was indeed influenced, harassed, intimidated or directed by a senior Government official” to take back the list.
Yesterday, Seepersad declined comment on claims of being “harassed, intimidated.”
Ex- commissioners Susan Craig-James, Courtney McNish, Roger Kawalsingh did not answer calls.
Griffith had recommended Jacob interview him, John, Hinds , ex National Security Minister Stuart Young and all previous/present commission members and gave questions on what to ask them.