00:00The president of the Police Social and Welfare Association says while there is no time for ill will, he acknowledges that it's still only human beings involved and as such anything can happen.
00:14According to ASP Dixon, statements were made by the Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, statements were made by the Acting Commissioner Junior Benjamin and the attorneys for Mrs. Hairwood Christopher made statements as well.
00:30He noted the possibility for tensions as a result, but said he hopes the interest of the TDPS prevails.
00:37At the end of the day, the Commissioner of Police, whoever he or she may be, would be responsible to say either we move forward or we don't move forward based on the evidence that we have.
00:51So, it is noteworthy that the commentaries have been made and now we have to look and see the direction in which the organization goes.
01:06Dixon admits that several officers have won legal matters in the past and had to be reintegrated into the TDPS.
01:14However, he says, the process isn't as smooth as it may seem.
01:19He notes that even with Mrs. Hairwood Christopher, one can observe there is a lot of bureaucracy involved.
01:26The association head further questions the delay in appointing an actual Commissioner of Police and putting an end to the acting positions.
01:34And even in all our efforts to have a substantive Commissioner run the organization, there has always been a deliberate interrogation or act of the government on the day to select a Commissioner of Police.
01:54ASP Dixon tells TV6 he considers as unfair that only a top cop is selected by the Parliament, not the prison's Commissioner, Chief of Defence Staff or Fire Chief.
02:07ASP Dixon says, why is the police service so unique that we have to have the Parliament to sit and debate on these officers' career?
02:20Towards what end?
02:22So then, is the person who's finally being selected, would there be an agent of the sitting government?
02:32On a separate issue, he is optimistic from meeting with the Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander.
02:41Dixon tells us, Minister Alexander was part of the TDPS and also part of the Police Association executive once.
02:49And as such, he can relate all too well to the ongoing issues affecting officers and perhaps find a resolution.
02:58Nicole M. Romney, TV6 News.
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