Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London says Tobagonians will support the reassignment of Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Reyes back to Trinidad. Assistant Commissioner of Community Relations Earl Gonzales is now head of the Tobago Division. The decision to reassign Reyes was made during the commissioner executive meeting on Tuesday at Police Administration Building, St Vincent Street in Port-of-Spain.
Reyes was recently placed to head the Tobago branch because assistant commissioner Brian Headley went on pre-retirement leave on December 18 this year. In a telephone interview yesterday, London said: “I am comforted by the fact that the commissioner (Stephen Williams) is sensitive to the issues which confronted the people of Tobago and will have the support of the people. The decision to reassign (Reyes) has my support.”
London said he was informed that Gonzales will be there a short period of time and replaced by another person who will be there long term. “There will be individuals who will integrate with the Tobago public and treat with challenges with respect to security,” he said.
London said there are outstanding matters concerning unsolved crimes especially the murder of Germans couple Hubertus Keil and his wife Brigid.“We have to strengthen the perception of safety on the island. As long as the person in charge is aware of these issues, and the need for them to maintain the trust of the people,” he said. London said after the incident with Reyes, Tobagonians were concerned.
“There was a consensus among Tobagonians and I had discussions with the commissioner that he made the right call. There was a consensus that he (Reyes) wasn’t the right person,” he said. In light of Reyes’s reassignment, president of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association, Insp Anand Ramesar, said the executive needed to review the suspension of other officers.
“Whilst the transfer is an option, the association feels that there is some level of consistency in treating with this particular case represents a level of inconsistency. In relation to officers to officers who are subjected to investigations where they behaviour is under question and considered within the range of gross misconduct offences,” he said. Ramesar said there are too many police officers who are on suspension for matters of a less serious nature.
“It is necessary for the commissioner to review serious decisions where officers are on suspension in light of this decision. The association remains resolute in its calls for transparency, accountability and consistency.”