“It is within the authority of the Commissioner of Police to shut down a bank or a supermarket. It will give me no pleasure doing so, “Commissioner Gary Griffith asserted on Wednesday afternoon, hours after the Prime Minister announced that he could not shut down the banks. But the top cop, while insisting that he is on the same page as the Prime Minister, spoke of the “clear and present danger” created by the hundreds of persons he saw lining up outside of banks, health centres, markets and supermarkets “I spent this morning going from bank to bank, in Port of Spain and hundreds are packed together- many of them are elderly persons. If one person has the virus, hundreds can get it through community spread. “We can arrest hundreds in front of the bank or shut down what is causing the problem. “I have my job to do and it is not to please persons or make the popular decision. “The biggest concern for the police is to adhere to objectives as stated by National Security Council (NSC),” the top cop said. Insisting there is not a difference of opinion between the government and the police, Commissioner Griffith chastised a” government paid communications person” for creating mischief. “A government communication rep is saying do not listen to what the Commissioner has to say, that I almost want to spread the COVID-19. “That is on the border line of treachery and treason,” the Commissioner advanced. “Is this person, who is being paid TT$20,000 a month representing the State? Please do not be distracted by the mischief of others- some are paid bloggers for their own personal use,” Griffith pleaded. “I will serve you- not abuse our power. By me saying that I cannot arrest anyone if they leave their home does not mean there is a difference of opinion between the police and government. “We all need to be on the same page. After midnight on Sunday the police came on the frontline to ensure what has been requested by the Chair of the National Security Council (NSC) can be implemented But, he drew the line, saying “where the policies of a government guides the actions of the police that is a police state. ‘Neither the Prime Minister nor the Minister of National Security ever spoke in that direction. “We have to advise people of their rights but we are not speaking from a different hymnbook. ” There was the perception that people would be arrested if they leave home so I just explained to the public that no extra authority was given to the police service in the amended regulations. “How can it be said that the TTPS was going in a different direction to the government?’ the Commissioner asked. ‘We have one enemy and that is a virus- we need to work together, circle the wagons and  deal with this,” he stated, while noting that the situation remains  fluid, with the goalpost shifting regularly.