President had “specific reasons” for not choosing Ramnarine

Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo says he has no positive or adverse views on President David Granger’s choice of Leslie James as the new Commissioner of Police.

At a press conference after consultations with the President, Mr Jagdeo told reporters at his Church Street office that he probed about the process of selection.

He said he was assured by the Head of State the Commission of Inquiry into an alleged plot to assassinate the President in 2017, which was headed by Retired Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Slowe, was not a factor in his choice.

President Granger today announced James the Commissioner of Police with immediate effect. He will serve alongside four deputy commissioners who are Mr. Lyndon Alves, Ms. Maxine Graham, Mr. Nigel Hoppie and Mr. Paul Williams. These appointments will also take immediate effect as of August 30, 2018.

According to Mr Jagdeo, the President said there are “specific reasons” but he [the President] did not share those reasons.

An interview process for the selection of the Top Cop was done by the Attorney General, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan and President Granger.

Those who applied for the post, including Mr Ramnarine, had to take a general knowledge test which was prepared by the Ministry of Education.