PSC to address ‘arduous task’ of police promotions soon – Chairman

Moments after three persons were sworn in to reconstitute the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, its new Chairman Bishop Patrick Findlay said he intends to immediately confront the “arduous task” of police promotions.

But above that, he said all of Guyana can expect fairness and equity from the Commission for the next three years.

“I am here to serve the Guyanese populace, they can expect fairness and equity,” Findlay told the News Room at the Office of the President where he took the Oath.

When the life of the last Police Service Commission ended in August 2021, scores of recommended police promotions for senior ranks were put on hold as the list released in 2020 was being challenged in Court.

Several promotions for junior ranks up to the post of Sergeant were announced by the Police Force in January 2022 but none for senior officers.

Asked if he has already conditioned his mind to address this, Findlay said “the truth is I have been trying to. It is an arduous task…[but] I am sure we can do this.”

He said he intends to meet with Police Commissioner (ag) Clifton Hicken and other senior officers of the Guyana Police Force within a week’s time.

“We will not dictate where things go. We want to facilitate, help and lend guidance to the system. We expect a great collaboration with the current hierarchy of the police force,” the new Chairman said.

President Irfaan Ali, in brief remarks, said he is satisfied with the process of appointing these members of the Police Service Commission.

The two other persons who were recently nominated by the Parliamentary Committee of Appointments and sworn in on Tuesday were attorney Lloyd Mark Conway and Ernesto Choo-a-Fat, a businessman.

A fourth person, businessman Hakeem Mohammed, was unavoidably absent and will take the Oath of Office at a later date.

These new nominations were made following a contentious end to the life of the last Commission chaired by retired former senior cop, Paul Slowe.

President Ali had suspended the entire PSC on June 16, 2021, but the life of the Commission came to an end in August 2021.

When the new Commission is fully constituted, there are several outstanding issues to be addressed.

It includes the promotion of ranks within the Guyana Police Force and the ongoing constitutional action in the Court against the President’s move to suspend the PSC.