Acting Police Commissioner Stephen Williams has expressed concern that the matter involving the alleged discovery of five grammes of a plant-like material, believed to be marijuana, at the Philipine residence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar more than two years ago was not brought to his attention.
Williams was speaking at the launch of the Police Service’s ‘Mystery Customer’ initiative held yesterday at the Belmont Police Station. He also said the initial probe was left hanging by the Special Branch. The acting top cop ordered a probe on Tuesday following confirmation by head of the Special Branch Snr Supt Gary Gould of the discovery. He had said previously that the Police Service had no record of any report that marijuana was found at the PM’s residence.
On whether he believed his charges were withholding information, Williams said he would not “put it that way,” adding that by nature the Special Branch was secretive. “One has to put things in context. This is a matter which has been within the domain of the Special Branch and by nature the Special Branch is a unit which keeps things secret,” Williams said.
Pressed further on whether the Special Branch withheld matters even from the Office of the Police Commissioner, Williams did not give a direct answer. “The issue is the Special Branch has issues which are confidential by nature. The Special Branch is not the interface of the Police Service and the public. This is a matter which was dealt with initially by the Special Branch and it wasn’t dealt with to conclusion and in those circumstances the Special Branch never submitted an official report to the Office of the Police Commissioner.
“From the clear indication they would have communicated with the then deputy commissioner (Mervyn Richardson). For me the matter being brought to my attention now [means it] is critical that I have an investigation completed,” Williams said. He said he had heard many comments about the investigation having only now been ordered but maintained his stance that this was because it had now been brought to his attention.
“I have concerns that it was not brought to my attention but those concerns I would effectively address upon the completion of the investigation,” Williams said. That probe, being done by acting ACP Ainsley Garrick, is expected to be completed within a month but Williams said it was likely it could be wrapped up within a shorter period.
“It will be a short investigation even though I have set it for one month and I will make available to the public what is the outcome. Anything else I will be going into speculation and everything which I don’t have,” Williams said. On what exactly was being investigated he said it would entail “all angles.”
“They are investigating all the circumstances. A find and everything else which flows from that find. It is a broad-based investigation to cover all aspects of the matter which is in the public domain,” Williams said. But he could not say whether the substance was, in fact, marijuana, adding that the investigation would reveal this.
Former national security minister Jack Warner stated he took part in a discussion in 2013 with other senior politicians and a senior police officer, to ensure there was no criminal probe into the matter.
Let them talk
—Richardson
Contacted yesterday, recently retired deputy police commissioner and head of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) Mervyn Richardson said if people wanted to make statements about him they were free to do so. “I have absolutely nothing to say about this matter. Let them say what they want to say,” Richardson added.
Asked about Richardson’s involvement in the matter, Williams only said, “Mr Richardson is a former police officer. He is not a serving police officer.” Pressed again to comment on the fact that the information was at the time brought to Richardson’s attention, Williams maintained that the matter would be investigated and all would be revealed.