“Unbecoming and very political” – Rohee responds to Top Cop’s criticism

Last Updated on Monday, 4 January 2016, 12:50 by Denis Chabrol

Former Home Affairs Minister and Leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee has dismissed statements by Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud regarding his tenure as Home Affairs Minister as “political” and “unbecoming.”

Rohee at a press conference last Monday had stated that promotions should be placed on hold until certain disciplinary matters are complete.

“Little or nothing is known about the number of disciplinary matters that have been before the Police Service Commission for some time now…Several disciplinary matters are before a disciplinary authority headed by former Senior Magistrate Cecil Sullivan,” said Rohee.

Seelall responded saying that he was not pleased with the suggestion made by Rohee for the promotions of police officers be placed on hold. The Top Cop argued that it would negatively impact the morale of the officers.

“I thought that the commissioner was being very political in that statement…reading that statement, I believe, he became overtly political which I have never seen recently,” said Rohee.

Rohee was adamant that in the past he never meddled with the promotions of police officer and that it was something for the Police Service Commission.

“It is unbecoming of a commissioner of police,” he stated.

The promotion of ranks has been placed on hold until February 2016.