Nandlall files legal action over Granger’s instruction to halt police promotions

Attorney-at-law, Anil Nandlall, on behalf of a private citizen, has filed legal action over President David Granger’s instruction to the Police Service Commission (PSC) to halt promotions in the Guyana Police Force.

The hearing will be on August 28, 2017 before Chief Justice Roxanne George – Wiltshire, and the Attorney General Basil Williams is listed as the respondent.

In documents seen by News Room, Nandlall is asking the High Court for a declaration that the PSC in the exercise of its functions shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

Nandlall is also asking for a declaration that the letter dated 26th of July, 2017, directed to the Secretary of the PSC by Joseph Harmon, Minister of State is in violation of Article 226 of the Constitution of the Cooperative of Guyana, is unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect.

An excerpt from the letter read: “His Excellency, President David Granger, has directed that there be no consideration of promotions for members of the Guyana Police Force by the Police Service Commission, until further notice … bring His Excellency’s directive to the immediate attention of the Commission.”

Nandlall, backed by the parliamentary opposition, has argued that the PSC is an independent Constitutional Commission tasked with the responsibility and power to make appointments to offices within the Guyana Police Force and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices and also is responsible for the promotion and demotion to offices within the said Guyana Police Force and should be free from political or executive control.