President David Granger says he is awaiting recommendations of the newly appointed Police Service Commission (PSC) so that he can appoint a substantive Commissioner of Police and four Deputy Commissioners of Police.
The president was speaking at the swearing-in of the Commission on Thursday at State House.
Following the recommendations, the President will then hold consultations with Chairman of the Commission, Paul Slowe and the Leader of the Opposition Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, “as soon as practical,” before making his decision.
Addressing the media after the ceremony, the President said Slowe has to first meet with the other Commissioners to review the list of potential candidates.
“I told him [Slowe] that I am ready at any time for such a consultation but I am prohibited from proceeding without a consultation,” he noted.
As it pertains to the appointment of the Top Cop, section 210 of Chapter 1:01 of the Constitution of Guyana outlines that there must be meaningful consultations with the Opposition Leader and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission.
“The Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission,” the relevant section of the Constitution states.
The president re-emphasised the need for the Police Commissioner to possess intelligence, integrity and independence. The person of his choice must also be “unbribable” and impartial, President Granger said.
“I want someone who is intelligent and committed to carrying out the programme of Security Sector Reform, who has the initiative and who can generate public trust,” he noted.
The president had interviewed eight Assistant Commissioners and understands the pool from which the Police Service Commission must be selected.
He said recommendations of appointees from other jurisdictions were presented, however, the president is confident that Guyana has competent persons to fill the positions.
“I intend to appoint a Guyanese…I think Guyanese need that, a Commissioner they can look up to and I expect that he will be supported by four deputy commissioners. We haven’t had four deputy commissioners for a long time and the hierarchy has been flat, everybody is of the same rank,” the president stated.
Currently, Assistant-Police Commissioner David Ramnarine is acting in the capacity as Guyana’s Police Commissioner. He has been interviewed as part of the selection process.
The other seven Assistant Commissioners interviewed for the post are Crime Chief Paul Williams; ACP-Operations Clifton Hicken; Force’s Finance Officer, Nigel Hoppie; A Division Commander (ag), Leslie James; substantive A Division Commander, Marlon Chapman; B Division Commander, Lyndon Alves; and for the first time, a woman contender, the ACP-Administrate II, Maxine Graham.
