By DARCEL CHOY Wednesday, August 8 2012

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COPS' TALK: Acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, left, and Deputy Commissioner Mervyn Richardson chat briefly after yesterday's daily press...

The initiatives implemented by former Commissioner of Police (CoP) Dr Dwayne Gibbs will be evaluated by an executive team within the police service.

Acting CoP Stephen Williams yesterday made the disclosure at the police briefing at the Police Administration Building at the corner of Sackville and Edward streets, Port-of-Spain.

“Plans and initiatives which have been implemented to date will be evaluated by the executive team, with some level of input by divisional and branch commanders within the service,” he said.

Williams who was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mervyn Richardson, assumed leadership yesterday after the resignation of Gibbs and former DCP Jack Ewatski.

He said a meeting was held yesterday with the divisional and branch commanders and the executive officers to discuss the way forward for the service.

Gibbs implemented several initiatives including the 21st century policing which sees police stations close at “non-peak” times.

Williams said that initiative was focused on providing quality policing service to the citizens of the country.

“There are things which by way of changes will take place in the context of 21st century policing; there are things which have been implemented, which will be maintained. At this point in time we are evaluating those matters which will be kept, and which will be removed,” he said.

When asked if he felt the police service should be left to citizens of the country rather than foreigners Williams said he believed it should.

“I think it is best left to be addressed by locals like myself, that’s my thought, the choice of appointing a commissioner doesn’t rest for me. I share the view that it is best left for local officers to run an organisation,” he said.

Williams said their greatest concern was violent crime because it fuels fear in the citizens of the country.

“It is critical at this juncture that a special focus be placed on violent crime. We are at this point in time finalising an initiative to address violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago,” he said.

When asked how would he appease citizens who felt his appointment was a political one, Williams noted his qualifications which included 33 years in the service.

“I have done everything I can do as a professional police officer. I have been exposed to all levels of training as a police officer, I have been exposed to the highest level of training that anyone could receive at leadership level in the Commonwealth within policing. I have spent 33 years not taking a single sick leave, how many persons in public life can speak to that, so I do not have to address the issue around politics, I have to address the issue of policing, that is my profession. I am a professional police officer, and I stay away from politics,” he said.

Williams said when the Police Service Commission (PSC) puts out advertisements for the post of CoP he will consider applying for the job.

“When they do advertise I will give some consideration to the point whether I should apply or not, I have given 33 years, I am at the point where I’m bordering reaching that point in your service when you can safely retire and get a pension, and move on in life. I would have to make some determinations when opportunity comes for exploring whether I continue as a police officer into the future,” he said.