COP promotes 49 officers to inspector rank in Trinidad and Tobago

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith on Wednesday confirmed the promotions of 49 officers to the rank of inspector after a series of delays. These delays were initiated in December 2020 by a group of 29 Sergeants, including the Secretary of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Social Welfare Association, Ancil Forde, who filed an application for judicial review and was granted an injunction.

Justice Robin Mohammed dismissed their application on Monday, the 21st of June 2021.

Each Officer received a personal letter from the Commissioner advising them of their appointment. Commissioner Gary Griffith congratulated all officers for their long-awaited promotions and stated that inspector is a rank that can be considered the backbone of the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service.

COP also apologized to the officers for the delay in this promotion process and the length of time it has taken from the commencement of process to this actual promotion.

"As you are aware we had actually convened this process before but it was unfortunately stopped on the very day it was supposed to happen by the issuance of an injunction from the court. This delay was totally out of my control as Commissioner." stated the COP Gary Griffith on Wednesday.

He stated that as the Commissioner of Police, he strives to reward efforts and to reduce the number of officers' acting'. COP said he constantly seek to fill as many vacant positions as possible as soon as they become available.

"I implore you as police officers to continue to serve the public and your colleagues with integrity and to not fall into the trap of seeking only your personal objectives even when those objectives are at the expense of colleagues." added the COP in his address.

The Commissioner stated that elf-serving actions can impact a colleague's pension and/or gratuity and, therefore, can never be acceptable and must always be resisted.

"For failure to resist such myopic temptations can create a scenario similar to this one which almost led to some of you not receiving your much-deserved promotion at the time it was due." stated the COP.