More about police promotions
Dear Editor,
Further to my letter expressing my concern about the public tongue in terms of higher-level promotions in Guyana Police Force (GPF), some people have asked me to elaborate.
I reminded them that the matter was now in court and that the Chief Justice (s) had issued an order to the effect that the status quo remains intact until a judgment is made.
I pointed out that the argument over who was disregarded for moving up from the Senior Superintendent to the senior ranks of the Deputy and Assistant Commissioner appeared to be over.
My view is that promotions should not be for the sake of promotions … rather it should be based on qualifications, experience, competence, personal character, non-corruption and the ability to think things through and discredit views that would not bring the police into disrepute.
The question is therefore 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 more strength in the next two senior ranks, and upward mobility. in the GPF.
I would like to point out that the strength of Guyana Police on the rank of Deputy Commissioner is four. Currently the current strength is one (temporary) so there are three vacancies. The strength of the GPF at Assistant Commissioner level is 12, the current strength is three … so there are nine vacancies.
The strength of the GPF at Senior Superintendent level is 17 – the current strength is six; therefore, there are eleven vacancies.
Traditionally, an Area Commander or Police Station Department 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 to send to lead a department, then a Senior Superintendent would be responsible for a police department.
However, since the previous administration increased the number of Police Divisions or Station Areas by11, then it is reasonable to expect that an Assistant Commissioner would be responsible for each of the eleven departments.
This is crucial given the demographics, strategic importance of some regions as well as the new approaches to economic and social development by the new government.
With most police departments led by Senior Superintendents, the question is why not promote them to Assistant Commissioners to fulfill a long-standing tradition?
This would allow mobility up ranks at Superintendent level to be promoted to Senior Superintendent rank and ranks at Deputy Superintendent level to be promoted to Superintendent and so on.
In any promotions considered, it is clear that due regard will need to be given to the question of recognition.
Clement J. Rohee
Fmr. Minister for Home Affairs