Nepotism, ineptitude and rank confusion in the police force

Jan 06, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Human resource management is concerned with finding the right fit and making the correct placement. The Commissioner of Police at his swearing in posited that he will strive to lead a democratic Police Force. His reign thus far has been far from democratic. Initially he started out or oversaw the removal of the most equipped officer from CID HQ placing a square peg in round hole at Special Branch, a field that officer had no knowledge of having spent his entire career as a detective and at the time was the most seasoned and holding the position of Deputy Crime Chief. What followed was anybody’s guess; two more ineligible ones took the position both by default. In one case, the Commissioner’s high handedness was at play in removing the previous one. Here it is an officer drawing a free salary month after month whilst doing nothing of substance to contribute to the Force when he could have been back at his foundation department at SB.
Mr. Editor the mismanagement of the force’s human resources continues. Senior officers were move in and out of position to facilitate supersession at promotions. Competent officers were moved around into areas where they lack knowledge and incompetent officers were moved into possession to facilitate their ascendancy in rank. Take the case of a senior officer who was a complete failure in uniform but was transferred to the CID and was later promoted and is now heading the a very important crime  division; no wonder the crime figures are climbing(check his affiliation to the Commissioner). He hasn’t earned his appointment or promotion. Another case in point is at the Divisional Command level (both Commanders and Deputies). Having done a good job at West Demerara the commander was posted as Traffic Officer negating his chance of promotion. He is now a Deputy Commander at ‘A’ Division with still no chance of being promoted because he and the Commissioner of Police did not see eye whilst at traffic a case of my way or the highway- talk about democracy). Mr. Editor D, E, F and G Divisions currently have a big disparity in command structure, a clear case of no succession planning and selective appointments. D, E and F Divisions have a Senior Superintendent as Commander with the former two having two inexperience Assistant Superintendents as Deputy Commanders. Aret there competent Superintendents around to hold these posts or are they being marginalized for reasons best known to the Commissioner.
In the case of ‘F’ Division the Commanders’ managerial acumen and policing knowledge is a cause for concern similarly is that of the next senior officer in the Division (Bartica). How they got those appointments needs press investigation (check their history and affiliations-remember the officer in a story that was removed from Finance for unprofessional behaviour). ‘G’ Division is worst off; the Commander; a Superintendent is supported by three Cadet Officers. Mr. Editor is there any competent Deputy Superintendents or Assistant Superintendents capable enough to hold that position. There is no 3 i/c (Superintendent) in ‘A’ Division. It means no one is actively looking at staff welfare and other administrative issues in ‘A’ Division. There is also big rank disparity at the Tactical Services Unit with 0/C TSU being a Superintendent with about six Assistant Superintendent under his command. No substantive Second in Command.
The Traffic Department is also in a crisis with the Traffic Chief being a Superintendent without any deputy, when that officer proceeds on leave an officer from another section is required to perform his duties’ there is no other Officer within the Traffic Department capable of functioning in that capacity. Talk about a succession plan and motivation. Mr. Editor that’s not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the way the Commissioner of Police isutilizing the Forces’ Human Resources. A general consensus is that the Forces’ morale is at an all time
low; at all levels. The Commissioner is tyrannical at best even to senior officers. Junior ranks feel the brunt of his wrath with transfers and threats. The Minister of National Security and by extension the Government is urged to take a serious look into the operations and administration of the Force, get the views of ranks at all levels and maybe they will be in a position to fix the force and the crime fighting efforts. Community relations are good but a sound crime fighting strategy with competent people in the right positions are key to climbing that proverbial hill.In my next missive I will touch on the promotion and the new undemocratic criteria being used to stymie some person’s promotion. Mr. Editor you are urged to check it out.
Senior police officer (name submitted)

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