Opposition wants clarity on CoP choice; says Christopher’s nomination raises questions

The top nominee for the post of Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher, is expected to retire on May 15 when she turns 60.
This according to the United National Congress, raises several questions.

As Parliamentarians get ready to debate her appointment on Friday, Pointe-A-Pierre MP David Lee is saying that nothing is guaranteed.

A simple majority is needed for acceptance, but Lee who is the Opposition Chief Whip said while he was aware of reports that Christopher topped the merit list of candidates for commissioner of police, it was not guaranteed that she would be appointed, referring to former DCP Deodat Dulalchan who reportedly topped the merit list in the 2018 selection process but whose nomination was defeated in the Lower House.

Lee said he wanted clarity over Christopher’s term in office as police commissioner if appointed, as she is expected to retire on May 15 when she turns 60.

In a Newsday interview, he said: “We have to wait and see if she is the choice and if she is the choice how does that affect her tenureship as a police officer, because from what we understand she has about three more months before retirement.

“If she is the choice for this government, would she then be brought back on contract? There’s a lot of unknowns with this government in this motion that they will be debating on Friday, so it’s yet to be seen if she is the choice for this government.”

Another issue he intends to raise is the selection process of the Police Service Commission (PSC) noting that the previous iteration of the commission chaired by Bliss Seepersad ranked Christopher at third place.
Lee said: “We don’t know what is the ranking for these new individuals (candidates) that would have applied.
“From what I understand, I am aware that even the past Police Commissioner Gary Griffith was interviewed so it is interesting times on Friday to see how someone can move from third (place) in the last assessment under chairman Bliss Seepersad and the assessment would basically be the same unless they change the assessment criteria.