In an attempt to set the record straight, Gary Griffith maintains he is still the Acting Police Commissioner of the Police Service, but will remain on voluntary leave at this time. 

In a statement this morning, Griffith said:

“On the 17th of August 2021, I was appointed Acting Commissioner of Police and this has not been rescinded.  With regards to the communication I received from the PSC instructing me to remain on leave, that was rescinded on Thursday 23rd September 2021, and as I remain on voluntary leave, I continue as Acting Commissioner of Police of Trinidad and Tobago.”

Griffith’s latest statement comes after weeks of controversy over his appointment, a lawsuit filed against the Police Service Commission for ordering him to go on extended leave, and National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ pronouncement that Griffith is not acting in the post, but is only “a mere civilian”.

Griffith dismissed contrasting news reports, which he said was an attempt to mislead the public. 

“…the focus should be on the fact that the PSC rescinded their instruction for me to remain on leave, and that in so doing, the PSC Chairman admitted breaches of proper human resource practices, and that she had no reason or justification to instruct me to remain on leave, thereby making my suspension null and void.”

“Perhaps the reason for doing this, and avoiding going to court, is that the facts extracted, and minutes exposed, would be even more damning,” Griffith said.