By NALINEE SEELAL Thursday, September 10 2009

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Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert...

Chairman of the Police Service Commission Ambassador Christopher Thomas has ordered Acting Police Commissioner James Philbert to submit a comprehensive report on various recent discrepancies in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

The discrepancies include the recent discovery of guns in the ceiling at the St Joseph Police Station, the seizure of exhibits at the home of a police officer, and the find of court exhibits in a locker at the Arouca Police Station.

Thomas told Newsday, “We at the PSC are very concerned over recent developments which have placed the police service in a bad light, and we have asked the Actg Police Commissioner to submit a full report into some of those incidents.”

The PSC Chairman also revealed that an interim report has been submitted by the Actg Commissioner, but he has asked for more time to submit his report because the investigation into the discrepancies is ongoing.

Thomas said that when the report is handed in by Philbert the PSC will view the report and the necessary action taken.

He refused to divulge what action will be taken, but added that it will be in the interest of the public.

Yesterday Professor Ramesh Deosaran who made a call three weeks ago for an emergency meeting of the existing Joint Select Committee to address matters pertaining to the police service said, “The unprecedented and serious nature of these police station incidents must be addressed now to help rebuild public confidence in the police service, and to make helpful recommendations to the Police Service Commission and the Government.

“My appeal is not to find anybody guilty,” he explained, “ but to examine ways in which the systems and procedures now used in protecting and monitoring police stations can be improved.”