(Trinidad Express) The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is describing as “inaccurate” statements made in Parliament, during the debate on the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, and subsequently reported in the media, about Police Commissioner Dwayne Gibbs.
Sharon Lee Assang, director of the Public Affairs Unit, said in a statement yesterday that the TTPS is seeking to correct any misconceptions and damage “these inaccurate statements” may have caused and will continue to do so when necessary so that citizens can be properly informed.
While Lee Assang refuted the assertion by Opposition MP Colm Imbert that Gibbs got his doctorate from a discredited university, no mention was made of the legal opinion of Solicitor General Eleanor Donaldson-Honeywell, who concluded that Gibbs acted “without authority” in the award of a contract to Zenith Air Scout Surveillance Aircraft at an estimated cost of TT$900,000.
Part of Donaldson-Honeywell’s legal opinion was read in Parliament on Saturday by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as she wound up the debate on the no-confidence motion moved against her by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley.
Donaldson-Honeywell said Gibbs’ supposition that, as accounting officer, he was authorised to act for the Central Tenders Board in procurement resulting in the engagement of a contract valued up to TT$1 million was unfounded. She said only a Permanent Secretary had this authority.
Lee Assang said the TTPS did not purchase any aircraft but leased it for testing and evaluation.
“We are simply conducting a 12-week feasibility study to determine whether this type of aircraft would enhance our airborne crime-fighting capabilities,” said Lee Assang.
On the issue of the doctorate held by Gibbs, Imbert said the qualifications are questionable. Imbert made reference to a Fox News report which stated that California Coast University was found to be a diploma mill where a person can buy a degree for a flat price.
He alleged that Gibbs secured his master’s and doctorate degrees from the same university in just three months.
“Anybody who buys their degree for TT$4,000 from a diploma mill in the United States, comes to Trinidad and Tobago and parades and turns around as Doctor Gibbs, you have to watch that fella, Mr Speaker,” Imbert said.
In her statement, Lee Assang said Gibbs completed all course work and received his joint PhD/MBA degree from California Coast University in 2006 after studying for five years.
The university, she said, holds accreditation through the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) and is recognised as a national accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.
“His dissertation associated with this doctorate degree was entitled, ‘Police Officer Acceptance of Community Policing: The Edmonton Experience’.
“He also was awarded a Master of Arts degree in Sociology majoring in Criminal Justice Administration and Corrections and a Bachelor of Education degree in Biological Sciences, both from the University of Alberta.”
Lee Assang also dismissed a claim by PNM MP Donna Cox that Gibbs spent “a lot of money” to buy newly-designed police uniforms before the purchase was approved by Cabinet.
“(The uniforms) were commissioned as a pilot programme intended as a prelude to widespread adoption of more climate-appropriate and comfortable apparel for the benefit of all of our officers. Some 300 uniforms were purchased as part of this pilot at a cost of approximately TT$550,000—far less than the sum being reported. These uniforms will now be used in the Training Academy as part of the trainee attire representing a responsible and necessary expenditure.”