Dissatisfied police rate concerns after being ignored for promotions
Kaieteur News – A few Guyana Police (GPF) ranks have expressed dissatisfaction with the recent Police promotion exercise.
This, they claim, is due to the fact that they have been ignored over the years for promotions despite having clean records. But the ranks, who asked not to be named, insisted that many of those promoted had been pending disciplinary proceedings against them.
The disgruntled ranks emphasized that it is unfair for them and others who have worked tirelessly dedicating their services to the Police without being considered for promotions for which they are eligible.
Among the disgruntled ranks is Corporal who was sent to Berbice nearly a decade ago but recently transferred to West Demerara. The site when located in the ancient county was in the care of all the police stations there. He has dealt with many high-profile cases including several murders – one being the murder of a young British woman who had been widely publicized a few years ago. In that case, an informant felt he could trust the Corporal and provided him with information that led to the discovery of the teenager’s body.
“To this day, I have kept the informant safe by not disclosing their identities and that eventually led to the offenders being arrested and charged, but I was never recognized for that; other ranks took credit for it, ”the rank claimed. The Corporal further mentioned that there had been several murder cases to which he responded and which led to investigations which led to the apprehension of the criminals. These criminals, he said, have since been jailed. He added that he is always first on the scene when a crime is reported and has always dealt with issues quickly.
The Corporal said his last promotion was in 1995, but has since been ignored. He believes he is still being punished for an incident that happened nearly 10 years ago. Charges were laid against him on that occasion, but the matter was eventually dismissed and cleared.
“I really work hard in this Force and every year there’s a promotion, I’m looking forward but then I’m disappointed when I see the list. I have a family to look after with three children and Corporal’s pay is difficult because my kids are aging and they have needs. This is not impulsive either; sometimes when I wake up I don’t feel like working because I feel my hard work is not appreciated. I should not be punished when I am innocent, ”said the Corporal.
Meanwhile, a Constable from the CID department revealed that he has never been promoted since joining the Police 18 years ago. He added that he had also worked with the Police expecting promotion but every year he is further disappointed.
“He has promoted ranks that I don’t deserve because some of them have disciplinary cases against them or they close with people in the hierarchy. These people don’t care who works hard and honestly, some of the dishonest are rewarded. It could never be fair, ”said the Constable.
A list seen in this publication revealed the names of several promoted ranks that the disgruntled ranks believe do not deserve promotion. The issues against them were also outlined. Some of the promoted ranks, based on that document, have issues that are being investigated by the Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Other issues listed are related to assault, rape, corrupt transactions, and some are drug related.