President of the police service social welfare association (TTPSSWA) acting ASP Gideon Dickson says he is optimistic that the latest efforts to select a substantive Police Commissioner have been transparent as all stakeholders have been engaged by the Police Service Commission (PSC).
On Tuesday it was reported that acting Police Commissioner Erla Christopher topped the merit list of candidates for the post of commissioner.
Christopher's name was submitted to Parliament and members of the Lower House are expected to debate on her appointment on Friday.
Speaking with Newsday on Tuesday Dickson said he was pleased that the selection process reached this stage and was confident all procedures and protocols were followed.
He added that the association and other groups were in communication with the PSC on how far the process at progressed.
"This time around was the most transparent in terms of the engagement, with the (Police) Service Commission communicating with stakeholders who had vested interests.
"I want to commend the Service Commission who sometime in either late November, early December indicated that they would have finished the process by the end of January and they kept their word so that in itself is commendable."
Dickson said the association was prepared to offer its full support to Christopher and any other candidate who was most suitable for the role.
He stressed that while the Police Commissioner had a large responsibility in public safety, crime was an issue that should be addressed at every level of society.
"Whether it was Ms Christopher or anyone else, because the association believes the process was fair and transparent, we are prepared to work with whoever comes out as confirmed, to try and do our part in ensuring safety and security for all of Trinidad and Tobago.
"One thing we want to quickly hasten to add is that no one person can fix the entire crime scourge facing Trinidad and Tobago, it's a situation where all stakeholders have to realise their part to play from the man in the street to the people that legislate, all of us have a part to play in the criminal justice system."
Newsday also contacted two of the candidates for police commissioner who also said they were pleased with the transparency of the selection process.
Responding to Newsday's questions via WhatsApp on Tuesday afternoon, Lt Col Sheldon Ramanan said he felt he did his best in all assessments including the final interview before the Police Service Commission (PSC).
Ramanan also said while he was not told of his ranking in the merit list, he congratulated Christopher for her performance in topping the list.
"I maintain my position that I am confident in the institutional independence of the Police Service Commission and the integrity of the recruitment process thus far.
"I am aware based on media reports that the current acting Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher topped the merit list.
"I cannot verify same as I did not receive any formal notice and/or communications from the Police Servic
