The head of the Police Complaints Authority David West says he does not intend to resign, and would continue to do his work as he has always done “impartially, without fear or favour, malice or ill-will.”
Speaking to the Guardian in the wake of calls from the Police Social and Welfare Association and the National Trade Union Centre for his resignation, West said he would continue to do his work fearlessly and “will continue to seek the public interest.” He said he remains true to the oath which he took.
On Tuesday, President of the Police Social and Welfare Association Inspector Michael Seales delivered a letter to President Anthony Carmona calling on the President to revoke the West’s appointment, as Director of the PCA.
Seales refused to reveal the contents of the letter to the President. He told the T&T Guardian “we understand it will take some time for the President to review our concerns and I want to respect his Excellency’s Office.”
He has also publicly called on his membership not to co-operate with investigators assigned to the PCA.
It was a statement made by West at a function at the British High Commission which sparked anger among the members of the Association. West had likened the Police Service to a “gang.” He has since “apologised unreservedly” to Seales for the statement and issued a statement to the media saying he ought to have said there is an element of rogue officers within the service who have to be removed and brought before the courts.
A statement from the communications unit of the PCA said “the Director recognises that there are many committed, honest and law-abiding police officers who put their lives on the line every day in the fight against crime. The Director reassures the public that matters that come to the PCA are dealt with independently and impartially and that the Authority allows the rules of natural justice and due process to prevail.”
But Seales told the T&T Guardian that the Association believes that West has a lot more to apologise for. He said they would hold fast to their position that West should resign because “he did not apologise for saying we unlawfully killing people.”
Seales said matters of that nature involving allegations of police killings go before the DPP and a Corner’s inquest “but West making judgment before the DPP and Coroner could complete their work, so pretty soon there are things coming for him, his legal troubles will begin soon,” he said.
Seales said the statements West has made over time have “eroded the confidence officers should have in someone who has to hear matters of serious misconduct, allegations of corruption and incidents of misconduct on the part of police officers.”
In response, West said he has always done his work “fairly and unbiased and will continue to do so.”
Meantime the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) has joined calls for the immediate resignation of West, as Director of the PCA.
NATUC General Secretary Michael Annisette, in a statement to the media, said West has tarnished the image of the PCA and should resign immediately.
Annisette said NATUC was of the view that the statements made by West were “irresponsible, inflammatory and defeatist.”
NATUC said persons who assume positions or hold office should be held accountable for their actions and there must be consequences when one makes certain statements or engage in certain types of behaviour, which in the public’s eye, can be deemed to be provocative and destabilising for the nation.
According to NATUC any institution set up by the government, was working for the people of T&T and was therefore accountable to them. Their performance on the job must work in the best interest of the people and the highest of standards must be set and maintained.