Reshuffling is merely to fill vacancies-Guyana Police Force

Apr 06, 2014 News

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– accuses K/News of being mischievous

The Guyana Police Force says that there is no major reshuffling of its senior administrative staff and that the recently published postings are merely to fill vacancies that have occurred in a few key areas.

The police was responding to several newspaper articles (but singled out Kaieteur News) which reported the change in command at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and in “A” Division (Georgetown/East Bank Demerara).
In a statement issued yesterday, the Force said that these changes have been as a result of the appointment of Seelall Persaud, DSM, as acting Commissioner and the retirement of Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis, DSM, who were in command of the CID and “A” Division, respectively.
Most of the media reports pointed to concerns raised by both junior and senior ranks of the Force, about the suitability of the individuals who were named to fill the vacancies created.
Two Senior Superintendents, Clifton Hicken and Leslie James have been named as the replacement ahead of Assistant Commissioners, a rank which traditionally commanded such posts.
The major bone of contention is the appointment of Hicken, who is well known for his role as Commander of the then E&F Division, when three persons were shot dead during unrest at Linden.
As a result of that incident, Hicken was relieved of his post as Commander following a directive by Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee.
In a statement to the media immediately after the shootings, Rohee had said, “The Minister of Home Affairs has, within the meaning of the Police Act Chapter 16:01  issued general and specific direction to the Commissioner of Police (ag) to effect immediate changes at the command level at  E&F Police Division, of which Linden is an integral part.”
Since then, Hicken had subsequently served as a Deputy Commander, both in Berbice and on the West Coast of Demerara.
Many see his elevation to the post of Commander in the Force’s main Division as a reward, since he had “covered up” for a senior government official during a Commission of Inquiry into the July 2012 unrest at Linden.
During the COI, Hicken had initially denied that he was in contact with Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, who many had accused of giving him directions.
However, telephone records showing that contact was made at least six times between Senior Superintendent of Police Clifton Hicken and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee following the July 18, 2012 shootings in Linden were produced as evidence before the Commission of Inquiry.

The information contradicted Hicken’s testimony that during the unrest in Linden, he had no telephone contact with the Home Affairs Minister before or immediately after the shooting.
The telephone calls are significant as the Minister had insisted that he played no part in ordering the shooting of the Linden protestors who were on the streets objecting to hikes in electricity rates for that Region 10 area.
Two Assistant Commissioners, Brian Joseph and Christopher Griffith, who are senior to Hicken and are presently serving as Commanders in other Divisions, were overlooked for the A Division position.
With regards to the Crime Chief position, it was widely expected that the natural order would have been preserved and the former deputy to Seelall Persaud, Winston Cosbert would have been elevated.
That was not to be, Cosbert who has been a detective for most of his police career and who was awarded the Force’s Best Cop on one occasion for work done in that area, has now been sent to head the Special Branch of the Force.
In a recent interview with this newspaper, former Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell had tipped Cosbert to replace Persaud as the country’s Crime Chief, especially at a time when the Criminal Investigations Department is under pressure to reduce the growing number of unsolved high profile crimes.
However, the position is going to Senior Superintendent Leslie James in what is a straight swap between the CID and the Special Branch.
While many are pointing fingers at the present Acting Commissioner of Police for the recent reshuffling, this newspaper was reliably informed that he had very little to do with it.
“Seelall Persaud wants his appointment, so he is remaining silent. Remember he is not yet on solid ground, so the powers that be are taking full advantage,” said a senior official at the Ministry of Home Affairs who claimed to be close to Minister Rohee.
The source told this newspaper that the Acting Commissioner of Police had taken a proposal to President Donald Ramotar regarding some administrative matters within the Force, but the President reportedly informed him that he will have to consult with Minister Rohee before any decision is taken.
“It is obvious that Rohee had some sway,” the source told Kaieteur News.

He disclosed that, while it is acknowledged that Cosbert has investigative skills that are above par, the Minister’s consideration is that he does not have “conceptual” expertise.
Yet he was allowed to reach the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, without question.
In its statement, the Guyana Police Force said that the filling of the two positions will obviously have consequential vacancies that will also have to be filled.
In addition, there will be some postings that are related to a new project that the Guyana Police Force will be embarking on shortly.
It is not clear if Cosbert’s move to the almost defunct Special Branch is in keeping with this new project.
But according to the source, having removed Cosbert “disgracefully”, Senior Superintendent Marlon Chapman should have been elevated to the top CID post.
This newspaper was told that Chapman, who is presently on leave, will be James’ deputy at the CID Headquarters.
Chapman has significant experience as a detective; has a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and is senior by date of appointment to the man who he will be working under.
“It is becoming increasingly clear that people who have legitimate expectations of moving up to the next level in the Guyana Police Force, can no longer think along that line,” a senior officer said.
He made reference to Senior Superintendent Lyndon Alves who after the much publicized meeting with former Commissioner of Police, now APNU Member of Parliament Winston Felix, has been sidelined as the deputy to the much maligned Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine at the Force’s Operations Department. He too has been overlooked for a senior command post.
“The current position adopted by the Force is also sending a strong message that if you are not loyal and if you are not connected to certain officials, then your advancement will be in jeopardy,” the senior official stated.
“Ranks know and expect that there will be changes, but changes that will certainly not impact on development of the force are serious cause for concern,” he told Kaieteur News.
While this newspaper has been leading in highlighting several shortcomings within the Force, the organization as well as the Minister of Home Affairs has not been too happy about this position.
In its statement yesterday, the Guyana Police Force expressed concern over the continued publishing of misleading information about the organisation “by the Kaieteur News, which has the potential to create mischief.”
However, several retired and serving senior police officers have all had similar views to the extent that it is ridiculous for the Force to claim that the Kaieteur News wants to create mischief, when mischief has already been created between the Office of the Commissioner of Police and the civilian oversight officials, “who continue to damage people’s careers and in the process do not have the courtesy to replace them with their equals.”
With no Police Service Commission in place to facilitate the promotion of senior ranks, it is anyone’s guess as to the rationale behind the recent moves.

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