EXPOSED: ROWLEY’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST GRIFFITH

PRIME MINISTER Dr. Keith Rowley’s political and communications campaign against Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith is a historic official challenge to a sitting police chief. 

The closest parallel was the vetoing of the nomination of Stephen Williams, who had been recommended by the Police Service Commission (PSC), then headed by former diplomat Christopher Thomas. 

The relevant legislation had then permitted such action by a prime minister. 

Recent disclosures seem to explain why the PSC, now headed by Bliss Seepersad, did not name a substantive commissioner even though Griffith’s three-year term expired on August 17. 

An investigation into the issuance of Firearms Users’ Licence (FUL) was undertaken by retired judge Stanley John, and the report is now in Rowley’s hands. 

There is no precedent in recent years of an investigation into the administration of an incumbent commissioner. 

In the mid-1980s, the Scott Drug Report had alleged that then-Commissioner Randolph Burroughs was involved in illegal activities. 

Burroughs was charged and tried; he won on a technicality.  

The John Report has been leaked to a Sunday newspaper, in what appears to be an obvious attempt to sully Griffith’s image and weaken his standing in the national community. 

A recent survey found that the incumbent commissioner has a 69 per cent popularity rating, which is higher than that of the prime minister. 

The John Report made damning statements on an alleged gun licence-for-sale racket and of “bribes and kickbacks.” 

The newspaper report said the John Committee was set up in the last quarter of 2020, which indicates that the PSC and Government have been concerned for a while about the alleged racket. 

The report is said to detail a scheme involving gun dealers, trainers, range owners, firearm instructors, “including certain food outlets.” 

The newspaper stated that a dealer was granted “unprecedented access” to files in the Firearms Section. 

The report is said to tell of “very transactional” relationships between a senior police officer and certain members of the media, in order to “win goodwill.” 

Apart from the John report, the newspaper quoted unnamed sources as being concerned over “a lax, permissive approach to the granting of firearms licences…” 

The report and the administrative handling of it are signals of the Government’s thinking on the matter. 

There is burning interest in how Rowley would treat the John Report, and especially if it would lead to the non-appointment of Griffith for a second term. 

Legal experts are also pondering on whether the prime minister overstepped his authority and undermined the PSC. 

Under the national constitution, the PSC is mandated to invite applications and shortlist nominees for the post of commissioner, and make recommendations to the president. 

The confirmation of a commissioner is in the hands of the Parliament, which means that there must be a public debate. 

It is expected that the nominee’s name would be forwarded to Parliament within the next few weeks. 

If Griffith wins the nod, there would be questions about the outcome of the alleged gun racket. 

If another nominee is proposed, there would almost assuredly be outrage from Griffith and his army of supporters. 

Griffith, who was extremely vocal throughout his term of office, has not spoken on the alleged gun racket.