Ministers must explain

Story Created: Oct 7, 2014 at 7:42 PM ECT.

Far too many unanswered questions remain around the now-rescinded plan to buy out the vacation leave of assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Dick. ACP Dick is the man in charge of the supposedly ongoing investigation of the murder of Senior Counsel Dana Seetahal, who was shot and killed on May 4. It was that killing which, according to Mr Dick, led to deferment of his leave. However, it is not clear if the decision by Cabinet to buy out his leave for $500,000 rather than letting him proceed to take it now, is related to this particular investigation. Indeed, Cabinet seems to have made this decision without even informing the key persons in the matter. ACP Dick told the Express that he first learned of the buyout when he read about it in an exclusive report published in this newspaper. Acting Commissioner Stephen Williams last week said that he had not recommended Mr Dick’s leave be purchased and, moreover, would not have so recommended. So, whether it was their intention or not, this unilateral decision makes it appear that the Cabinet was attempting to interfere in the affairs of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). That the Government should even have considered buying out ACP Dick’s leave without a sound rationale shows that the Cabinet does not understand the need for an independent TTPS. No reason has even been given for the decision to now rescind the buyout, so it is apparent that, had the Express not brought this matter to public attention, ACP Dick would have got his half-million dollars. While the proposed buyout does not alter the official independence of the service, it has bolstered a perception that the Government was attempting to interfere with an officer investigating one of the most high-profile homicides in the country’s history. That could give rise to all sorts of unsavoury speculations, such as who in the Cabinet has an interest in influencing the investigation. All such speculation may be (and probably is) quite unfounded. It may be that, because the murder of Ms Seetahal reflects badly on the Government’s handling of crime, the Cabinet wanted to ensure that the officer in charge remained on duty. However, Ag CoP Williams has asserted that the investigation is not dependent on this lone officer. Then again, given ACP Dick’s apparent lack of headway after six months, replacing him might be a good idea. Given all these questions, the Cabinet—particularly National Security Minister Gary Griffith and Labour Minister Errol McLeod—must explain why they made this decision and then withdrew it. Otherwise, rumours will ride rampant. For an already beleaguered administration, that additional straw could break some Cabinet backs..