Emotional Brumell sworn in as 30th Police Commissioner

Oct 08, 2013 News

– plans to use criticisms constructively

Leroy Brumell takes the Oath of Office as Commissioner of Police before President Donald Ramotar.

“I took the oath to serve and protect the citizens of this country almost 36 years ago with the ambition to one day become the Commissioner of Police of the Guyana Police Force. Today that dream has become a reality.”
Leroy Brumell, the newest Police Commissioner, said that the journey has been long and hard. Yesterday, before President Donald Ramotar at the Office of the President, Brumell was sworn in as the country’s 30th Commissioner of Police since the establishment of the Police Force on July 1, 1839. He is the 10th Guyana-born Commissioner of Police.
Witnessing the occasion were Brumell’s wife and children, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Dr. Roger Luncheon and the top brass of the Guyana Police Force among other well wishers.
Brumell who took over the helm of the Force in early 2012 when his predecessor Henry Greene was forced to resign in the face of rape allegations, was sworn in at a time when Guyana is in the midst of a mini crime wave.
In tears, the new Commissioner of Police yesterday assured the citizens living within the borders of Guyana that “I, Leroy Brumell would do all within my power…to serve and protect and to take back our streets and communities from criminals.”
He asked all Guyanese, especially his officers, to support him as he moves towards making Guyana a safer place.
Brumell’s confirmation was assured last week following what was described as belated meaningful consultations between President Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger.
With his wife, Grace, standing at his side to help him control his emotions, Brumell said, “To the President and all other stakeholders who saw it fit to validate my appointment to the post of Commissioner of Police, my heartfelt gratitude and assurance that your decision is not one that you will regret.”
“To my many critics of the Force, we can never please everyone but I do promise to use the criticisms in a constructive way to assist the force to become a better institution,” Commissioner Brumell declared.
President Ramotar in brief remarks noted that Brumell and by extension, the force over which he has been presiding over for close to two years have been tested.
The President noted that despite the unwavering grandstanding by the political opposition to Government’s security programme, he is satisfied that Brumell has been leading the Guyana Police Force in the right direction.
“This period has seen the unfolding of the most comprehensive of security sector reforms of Guyana, and for that matter any other CARICOM civilian law enforcement agency… within recent times,” the President said.
He stated that he remains impressed by the resolve of the leadership of the Guyana Police Force to fight crime and violence in Guyana.
According to the President the delay in appointing Brumell was no fault of his administration.
He explained that after Henry Greene demitted office, his intended choice of Leroy Brumell as Greene’s successor, in accordance with the established procedures.
“I shared my design with the Leader of the Opposition…and I appointed Mr. Brumell as the Commissioner of Police Acting. Time elapsed and satisfaction with the performance of the Force under his supervision grew,” Ramotar explained.
He told those gathered at his office for the occasion that his resolve to confirm Brumell was frustrated by delays in holding meaningful consultations with the leader of the Opposition. However, that engagement eventually took place last Thursday when the leader of the opposition gave his no objection to Brumell’s eventual confirmation.
“I want to thank you very much for your long service you have given to the Force and I look forward to your continued service as commissioner of police,” the President told Brumell.
In an invited comment after the official ceremony, Brumell said that his priority is to see the successful modernizing of the Guyana Police Force.