The Opposition does not think President Paula-Mae Weekes acted in the public’s best interest in the matter of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and the appointment of a police commissioner.
The Opposition shared its view at its weekly press briefing on Sunday, at its Charles Street, Port of Spain office.
Opposition Senator Jayanti Lutchmedial addressed the President’s full-page published statement on the matter which was printed in all three daily newspapers.
She said any person who holds office must act in the best interest of the people.
“I do not believe that what we have heard so far and even with the President’s explanation today of what her actions or lack of action was in this situation that she acted in the best interest of the public in this situation.”
She said it was “quite frightening” that anybody could take information to the chairman of a service commission about someone who is a candidate; who maybe on a merit list; who has applied for a job or shortlisted for a job and that can cause the entire process to be quashed and the Order of Merit List to be pulled back, “that is a very dangerous situation.
“It really speaks to the level of autocracy, the lack of discipline and the lack of independence that we are seeing in our institutions which are enshrined in our constitution for a reason. It insulates them and ensure that they remain independent.”
Lutchmedial said that what should happen if someone has credible information is that it should go to the appropriate authorities to investigate.
She added that there were authorities set up in law, such as the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) and the Professional Standards Bureau, whose job it is to investigate police including the commissioner.
Lutchmedial said the information should not be revealed to Rowley or former PSC chairman Bliss Seepersad but those authorities.
“This is what you consider, Madame President and you are now almost defending, justifying and making excuses for this information being passed to the Police Service Commission (PSC) when nobody can say how credible in the information is.
“We are left to assume that it was credible information because they pick up two fellas somewhere on the road and tell them – who have no office – and tell them go on a fact finding exercise.”
Lutchmedial asked if it was preferable for someone to “shoo-shoo” and whisper with Seepersad or tell the commission certain things and give them information that is not verified and “scrap the whole recruitment and selection process prescribed by law.”
“You think that is better than going to the Parliament?”
Lutchmedial said the 2006 amendments passed by the then late former prime minister Patrick Manning administration was a suite of legislation which abolished what was then known as the power of veto that the Prime Minister enjoyed over the appointment of the Police Commissioner.
She said the reason for doing so was because the notification would have to go to the Parliament and it is there that the opportunity would present itself t
