The Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe remains on suspension as directed by President Irfaan Ali and therefore has no powers to instruct the Police Commissioner, Attorney General Anil Nandlall said on Tuesday.
Slowe has sought to compel the Police Commissioner to make promotions as recommended by the PSC.
Police Commissioner (ag), Nigel Hoppie on Tuesday declined to comment on Slowe’s missive to him to prepare and issue a Special Promotion Order which would give effect to a purported 2020 promotion list.
Slowe has threatened that should Hoppie not issue the Special Promotion Order by noon on Tuesday, legal proceedings would be initiated against him.
Slowe believes it amounts to a defying of the Commission’s orders even as he continues to reject his suspension as unlawful.
But according to Nandlall, Slowe’s request is null, void, and of no effect.
Nandlall, in brief comments via telephone, reminded that Slowe and the entire PSC were suspended by President Irfaan Ali.
“That decision stands until and unless it is withdrawn or revoked,” the Attorney General explained.
Nandlall said, “So whatever request Slowe has made… he has no authority to instruct the Police Commissioner.”
The 2020 promotion list was released by the Commission on June 28, 2021 moments after Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George threw out a challenge to the list by other senior police officers.
That ruling and the issuance of the promotion list came just 10 days after President Irfaan Ali suspended the entire Commission on June 17, 2021.
The News Room reached out to the lawyer representing the Police Service Commission, Selwyn Pieters, for more clarity on the legal action to be taken.
There was no immediate response from Mr. Pieters.
While the Police Commissioner had initially acknowledged the promotion list on June 30, 2021, no one has said whether he has responded to Slowe’s latest letter.
Up to noon on Tuesday the issuance of the Special Promotion Order seemed unlikely.
