Blanhum’s stay at ‘A’ Division uncertain

By Leroy Smith

It is uncertain if Senior Superintendent of Police, Wendell Blanhum will continue as the Deputy Commander of ‘A’ Division after the Christmas season or whether he will return as the Crime Chief.

Commissioner of Police (ag), David Ramnarine confirmed to the News Room that the former Crime Chief reported to him on Monday, December 4, 2017, following his resumption of duty after a prolonged period of leave.

However, Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, when asked if Blanhum showed up for work, expressed that: “I would not say that.”

Sources at ‘A’ Division have indicated to the News Room that Blanhum did not report for duty at the Divisional Headquarters and that Superintendent Azore was up to press time still performing the duties of Deputy Commander.

The Top Cop, however, stopped short of saying whether Blanhum’s new post is a permanent move.

“Positions in the Police Force, certain positions are not cast in stone and as months roll on people go on leave and people retire and so on there are changes that will be made,” Ramnarine told the News Room during a telephone interview.

He said that whenever senior officers are on leave and they resume duty, they would report first to the Deputy Commissioner of Administration once they are in the environs of Eve Leary. Blanhum, according to Ramnarine did that this morning.

It was recommended that Blanhum be removed as head of the Criminal Investigation Department due to several incidents including the lack of “command experience”.

Actions were also recommended against several other senior officers within the management structure of the Police Force including Clifton Hicken and David Ramnarine.

These recommendations were made in the Commission of Inquiry (COI) Report into an alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.