In September 2009, Police Inspector Carlton Philips publicly made allegations that there had been a conspiracy against his candidacy for Chief of the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID). Members of the selection committee would have conspired against Philips, resulting in the fact that not Philips but another candidate was chosen and thus Philips’ promotion was blocked. Philips’ opinion was based on statements attributed to at least one member of the selection committee. The selection committee comprised of three persons including the CID prosecutor.
Inspector Philips had received information that the CID prosecutor had raised objections to him being appointed as the head of the CID department. In his public statements Philips requested that the role of the CID prosecutor in the matter also be investigated. This led to the acting chief Prosecutor deciding in October 2009, that his office would not work with Inspector Philips in investigations as long as he did not issue a public apology.
On Friday October 13th 2010, a meeting took place between the Chief of Police, the Chief of the Judicial Department, the acting Chief Prosecutor, the CID Prosecutor and police inspector Carlton Philips. In this clarifying meeting, several topics were discussed, including all aspects of the application of Mr. Philips, the position of the CID prosecutor as well as the decision taken by the acting chief prosecutor.
During this meeting it was established that statements made by certain individuals, miscommunication and at times a serious lack of information, had led to the unfortunate situation between the office of the public prosecutor and inspector Philips. It was also established that in any case the CID prosecutor was not involved in any conspiracy to block his promotion. Philips subsequently acknowledged that based on incorrect information he had wrongfully assumed that the CID Prosecutor was also part of the conspiracy. Parties expressed their regrets for the unfortunate situation that resulted in the strained relationship between them.
Based on the above, parties have reached an amicable solution of this matter and it was decided to restore the working relation with inspector Philips.