Key rotations in leadership of Guyana Police Force

As part of the modernisation plan for the Guyana Police Force, three senior police officers were rotated in the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). These changes were announced on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner ‘Administration’ (ag.) Calvin Brutus is now the Head of Special Branch, Deputy Commissioner ‘Operations’ (ag.) Ravindradat Budhram is now in charge of ‘Administration’ and Head of Special Branch Assistant Commissioner, Errol Watts is now in charge of ‘Operations’.

Commissioner of Police (ag.) Clifton Hicken responded to news reports about a ‘shake-up’ in the top brass of the Guyana Police Force and clarified that the rotation of officers is a management tool used to create and foster efficiency within the Force.

Additionally, the Top Cop also responded to a social media post by an overseas-based Guyanese alleging that the Police Commissioner and another senior officer were sent home as part of an ongoing investigation by SOCU.

“Please note that this is not true. This report is misleading and fake,” Hicken clarified.

In 2022, Watts, Budhram, and Brutus were among several Senior Superintendents promoted after a two-year impasse. This delay occurred when five senior officers challenged the Police Service Commission (PSC) in court over the 2020 promotion list. Brutus had taken legal action to block the promotions, claiming the PSC, chaired then by retired senior cop Paul Slowe, was acting unlawfully.

Chief Justice (ag.) Roxane George dismissed the challenge.

President Irfaan Ali had also suspended the entire PSC the year before. In May 2022, a new Commission, chaired by Bishop Patrick Findlay, was fully constituted. Findlay had committed to tackling the challenging task of police promotions.