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Seelall Persaud confirmed as 31st Police Commissioner
“I wish to say that the few years that I have left, most of my energies will be going towards making the force a more professional one, and one that embraces value of democracy.”
After acting for almost a year, Seelall Persaud yesterday took the oath of office confirming him
Seelall Persaud takes the oath of office.
as the country’s 31st Commissioner of Police.
Persaud who took over the reins of the Force from Leroy Brumell last April will serve as the ‘Top Cop’ for at least the next three years, during which time he will have the unenviable task of returning public confidence in the police.
At a simple but significant ceremony at the Office of the President, Persaud pledged to uphold the Constitution without fear or favour and to restore the professionalism of the Force, which has been battered over the years.
In attendance were President Donald Ramotar, the new commissioner’s wife and daughter, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh, Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack, and other Heads of the Disciplined Services along with senior officers of the Guyana Police Force.
Persaud told the audience that he was humbled by the occasion, but he did not hide the fact that he also felt a great sense of accomplishment.
“My career has been a long journey; a bumpy road, bumpy because of security and other challenges. But within those challenges came opportunities. I’ve enjoyed a career
Commissioner Persaud and his family pose with President Donald Ramotar following the ceremony.
which to my mind has been characterized by excitement and rewards,” Persaud stated.
Commissioner Persaud, who hails from the Essequibo Coast, will soon complete 31 years as a member of the Guyana Police Force, serving most of the time in the Criminal Investigation Department.
He headed the Police Anti-Narcotics Unit (Drug Squad) for 10 years and served as the country’s lead detective (Crime Chief) for another seven years.
His police career saw him work on the coastland as well as in the interior.
President Ramotar in brief remarks congratulated Persaud and assured him of government’s support.
Persaud’s confirmation comes exactly two months before the country goes to the polls, and of course, it could bring added challenges to the newly-confirmed commissioner.
But Persaud is not perturbed by this at all.
He said that he has been preparing for the challenge ever since the date for the elections was announced by President Donald Ramotar, earlier this year.
“As matter of fact, since Parliament was prorogued we were preparing for a lot of the side impacts of an election,” Persaud explained.
“We started re-training on public order issues, election campaign issues and so on…so our ranks could have an understanding of what the law is and what they are required to do when they get on the ground,” the commissioner added.
He warned that the police force is preparing for a worst case scenario.
Persaud told the audience yesterday that he will focus on making the Guyana Police Force an organization that is once again respected.
“I wish to say that the few years that I have left, most of my energies will be going towards making the force a more professional one, and one that embraces value of democracy.”
He said that nothing much will change with his confirmation, since most of what was started a year ago when he took over will continue.
These include addressing police reform and incidents which have the potential to tarnish the force’s reputation.
Within the past few months there have been a few deaths in police custody, a situation that Persaud plans to address in earnest.
“Since I came on, I have taken on that, and if you would have looked at some of the ‘law enforcement and you’ (TV) programmes, you would have seen that the head of the OPR (Office of Professional Responsibility) spoke about it the other day, where directions were given for no one to be in (police) custody for minor offences,” Persaud said.
To this end, the members of the OPR are making visits, including unannounced ones, to stations to ensure that standard operating procedures are adhered to by ranks.
Persaud paid tribute to his Creator and thanked the President and his administration for the confidence they placed in him. He also thanked his family, fellow heads of the other disciplined services, as well as his team of commanding officers, for their support over the past year since he took over as the country’s top cop.
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