Griffith responds to claims of anti-vax cops – Loop News Trinidad and Tobago

“The reason you wear a uniform is because you put the rights of the country before your own.”

This from Police Commissioner Gary Griffith when asked about unconfirmed reports of apprehension from police officers on taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

At the weekly police media briefing today, Griffith said in his experience and training in the army, it was understood that national security takes precedence over all else, including personal feelings.

He said, however, that this sense of duty amongst those who took an oath to protect and serve might have changed over the years.

“Maybe things have changed with persons in uniform because everyone has rights. Everyone has an attorney, everybody sees about their personal rights over the rights of others. But, I think, the reason you wear a uniform is because you put the rights of the country over your own personal rights, but now everyone has a right and a justification.”

“Twenty years ago, I cannot think of anyone in uniform who would… If you know there is a reason why the State is stating that frontline officers should be vaccinated, it is to assist you – also those who you are there to secure. If you have a problem with it – things have changed. That’s all I can say.”

Griffith, who’s received his first dose of the vaccine, said he’s looking forward to his second jab.

ACP Williams indicated that personnel considered to be frontline workers have already been identified and notification advising of same sent on to them.

Officers in the Emergency Response Patrol, Guard and Emergency Branch, Multi-Operational Police Section, Special Operations Response Team, Inter Agency Task Force and Criminal Investigation Departments make up the approximately 1,500 – 1,700 frontline TTPS personnel.  

Despite reports that some officers are unwilling to get vaccinated, Williams said there so far have been no indications from any personnel supporting this.

These vaccinations will begin on Saturday.

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