Persaud’s return as Top Cop uncertain

By Leroy Smith

In a telephone interview with the News Room on Friday evening, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan had noted that Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud is likely to return to the job by January 18, 2018 following the conclusion of some “additional leave” which he has accumulated.

However, in a letter which has provided to the News Room, nothing was mentioned about “additional or accumulative leave.” Instead, the letter spoke about “special leave.”

In the letter, the Public Security Minister sought to make it clear that he was “advised” to inform the him [Seelall Persaud] to proceed on “Special Leave” in the “Public interest” and to allow for the continuation of initiatives and innovations being pursued by the Guyana Police Force’s “Temporary administration” to be completed before he resumes duty.

Ramjattan, however, did not say who his advice came from. The letter further stated that it is considered by the “administration” that Persaud should be and is hereby “directed” to proceed on “special leave” with effective from November 24th, 2017 “until further notice.”

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon three weeks ago told the media that the Commissioner of Police has engaged him relating to his [Persauds] welfare.

The Commissioner of Police was slated to return to work on Friday November 24 after four month of vacation leave but he never reached Eve Leary. Instead, he was asked to visit the Ministry of Public Security to collect the letter.

The News Room attempted to engage the Top Cop pertaining to the contents of the letter but he advised that our engagements be directed to the Minister of Public Security.

A Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the alleged attempted assassination of President David Granger, recommended that Persaud be made to resign from the Guyana Police Force or steps should be taken to have him removed from office.

The assassination plot was allegedly planned by the brother of a man who is a personal friend of the Commissioner of Police.

It was noted during the public hearing of the COI that the Commissioner of Police and several other officers of the Force, including Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum, the acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, ‘A’ Division Commander at the time, Clifton Hicken and several other ranks handled aspects of the development in a manner that was either unprofessional or lacking and outside of the best interest of the investigation.