February 16, 2021
Gary Calls Out “Hypocritical” Opposition: “My Officers Deserve Due Process”
Police Commissioner Gary Griffith has hit back at Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, over statements she made condemning alleged police brutality in wake of recent deaths of suspects at the hands of police. In a statement this afternoon, Griffith took particular issue with Persad-Bissessar’s comments that police should not become “monsters” while fighting the monster, calling the sentiment hypocritical.
Persad-Bissessar made the comment while speaking at Monday night’s UNC Virtual Report.
He says in the same way civilians deserve due process, so do his officers.
“We have become quite familiar with the abuse, attacks, and disdain demonstrated toward the men and women of the TTPS, and being the leader of the organization, I am fully aware, the proverbial guns will be trained at me. I am, and have always been prepared for this.” he said in a statement.
He added: “…Whilst I expect these sustained criticisms, what I will not do, is to accept condemnation of the men and women of the TTPS without due process. What is completely hypocritical is that many of these same persons calling for ‘due process,’ including the likes of Senator Nakhid and now the Leader of the Opposition, are the very same ones, acting as judge and jury against the TTPS…without the said due process.”
Additionally, CoP Griffith states ‘what I find rather interesting is the Opposition Senator’s call, on behalf of the Opposition, for my resignation, based on what is perceived action by two or three officers out of over 8,000, and a matter which is still under investigation. Thus, based on the Opposition’s premise, the said Opposition Leader should perhaps also have resigned based on the numerous matters relating to her organization’s past incursions with the law, more recently an Opposition Senator who was even charged,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police said he is fully aware that there are some who would be the mouthpiece and fight for the rights of criminals over the rights of law-abiding citizens, and those who do not want change, who at times are the mouthpieces for the criminal elements, who do not want to see this as a safe society because of their own agendas, but this would not deter him from doing what is right and lawful to ensure the safety of citizens in this nation.