Senior Police Officer Transferred To New Security Post Amid Controversy Over Vehicle Procurement

A high-ranking police official allegedly connected to the ongoing “Vehiclegate” affair has been reassigned to a specially established position within the Ministry of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Immigration and Labour, documents reveal.

According to Cabinet correspondence dated 23 October 2025, the government approved the establishment of the Officer-in-Charge of Surveillance and Security position during its meeting on 22 October 2025, with an effective date of 20 October 2025.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police was subsequently recommended by Cabinet to the Police Service Commission for secondment to fill the newly created role.

Official documentation forwarded from the Cabinet Secretary to the PSC Chairman—with copies distributed to the Minister of Legal Affairs and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary—outlines comprehensive responsibilities for the position.

The role encompasses strategic oversight of all security and surveillance operations protecting government staff, property, infrastructure, and sensitive data.

Key responsibilities detailed in the job specifications include managing physical security infrastructure, such as access controls, perimeter defenses, and closed-circuit television networks; formulating and implementing security protocols; supervising continuous surveillance and monitoring; and directing emergency response initiatives ranging from natural disasters to security breaches and evacuation procedures.

The position carries compensation equivalent to that of an Assistant Commissioner of Police and requires predominantly office work, supplemented by routine site inspections and availability for irregular hours.

The personnel move occurs as authorities face mounting questions over vehicle acquisitions conducted through the Ministry of Public Works without proper Cabinet authorization. Estimates suggest expenditures on vehicles through the arrangement may exceed $15 million, with multiple parties reportedly implicated.

The controversy has triggered several administrative changes across government ranks. Senator Clement Antonio was dismissed from his portfolio in the Public Works department, while the veteran Comptroller of Customs submitted his resignation—an action the Prime Minister attributed to “willful neglect.”

The United Progressive Party opposition has demanded an independent probe into the procurement irregularities, but the Prime Minister has rejected such calls as financially wasteful, opting instead to pursue recovery of funds from participating vehicle dealerships.

With investigations ongoing, the officer’s transfer to the surveillance and security portfolio has sparked debate about the government’s handling of the scandal and the implications for accountability within the civil service.