A senior police officer from Tobago has been given the green light to sue Police Commissioner Gary Griffith over his handling of promotions to the rank of Superintendent.
High Court Judge Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell yesterday granted acting Senior Supt Collis Hazel, of Roxborough, Tobago, leave to pursue his judicial review case against Griffith.
In the lawsuit, Hazel, who joined the T&T Police Service (TTPS) in 1991, claimed that after passing the promotion examination and interview with the Promotion Advisory Board, he was placed at number 46 on a merit list.
On September 4, 2018, the first 45 officers were promoted.
Hazel claims that although Griffith agreed to extend the life of the merit list to September 3, 2020, he subsequently revoked his decision.
In the lawsuit, Hazel, who has been given acting appointments, is claiming that Griffith’s decision was unreasonable as it was done without any warning or consultation. Hazel is also contending that the issue has affected several other senior officers, who are similarly circumstanced.
Hazel is seeking a declaration that he has been treated unfairly and an order directing Griffith to provide written reasons for the sudden decision to revoke the list.
He is also seeking an order to quash the decision and declare it illegal, null and void and of no legal effect.
Hazel is being represented by Anand Ramlogan, SC, Alvin Pariagsingh, and Alana Rambaran.
The lawsuit is expected to come up for hearing within the next two months.