More about the police promotions

Jan 05, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Further to my letter expressing my concern over the public spat with regards to senior level promotions at the Guyana Police Force (GPF), some folks have asked me to elaborate.
I reminded them that the matter is now in court and that the Chief Justice (ag) has issued an order to the effect that the status quo remain intact until a ruling is made.
I pointed out that the quarrel seems to be over who was overlooked for upward movement from Senior Superintendent to the higher ranks of Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.
My own view is promotions should not be for the sake of promotions…rather it should be based on qualifications, experience, competence, personal character, incorruptibility and ability to think things through and to make judgment calls that would not bring the force into disrepute.
The question therefore is whether there are vacancies in the current strength of the GPF at the rank of Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner that can be filled by Senior Superintendents, so that there can be greater strength at, and upward mobility to the next two higher ranks in the GPF.
I wish to point out that the strength of the Guyana Police Force at the rank of Deputy Commissioner is four. Currently the existing strength is one (acting) hence, there are three vacancies. The strength of the GPF at the level of Assistant Commissioner is 12, the current strength is three…hence, there are nine vacancies.
The strength of the GPF at the level of Senior Superintendent is 17 – the current strength is six; hence, there are eleven vacancies.
Traditionally, the Commander of a Police Station District or Division would be an Assistant Commissioner because of seniority, experience and authority to lead among other attributes.
In exceptional circumstances, where the strength at the rank of Assistant Commissioner is not sufficient enough for dispatch to head a division, then a Senior Superintendent would be put in charge of a police division.
However, since the previous administration increased the number of Police Divisions or Station Districts from11, then it is reasonable to expect that an Assistant Commissioner would be put in charge of each of the eleven divisions.
This is critical given the demographics, the strategic importance of some regions as well as the new approaches to economic and social development by the new government.
With most police divisions being headed by Senior Superintendents, the question is why not promote them to Assistant Commissioners in fulfillment of a long standing tradition?
This would allow for the upward mobility of ranks at the level of Superintendent to be promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent and ranks at the level of Deputy Superintendent to be promoted to Superintendent and so forth.
In any promotions contemplated, the question of remuneration will obviously have to be given due attention and consideration.
Clement J. Rohee
Fmr. Minister of Home Affairs

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