Govt frowns on publicised spat between Police Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner

Last Updated on Thursday, 10 November 2016, 18:09 by Denis Chabrol

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon on Thursday registered government’s dismay at the publicising of a spat between Police Commissioner, Seelall Persaud and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration), David Ramnarine over the latter’s promotion of several ranks while the top cop was on leave.

“It is important that these matters that occur in the public space, in the media, that they be dealt with in another way.” The Government Information Agency (GINA) also quoted Harmon as saying that “the issues that came into the public space, are issues that could have been dealt with internally…this question or writing letters here and there.”

Persaud has since recalled those promotions, arguing that Ramnarine was not legally empowered to promote anyone because the substantive Police Commissioner was still the office holder although on vacation. Persaud has said that Ramnarine never received the instrument of appointment as Police Commissioner.The

Minister of State said the differences would be addressed by the Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.

He told a post-cabinet news briefing that in large organisations, there would always be some level of conflict. However, he explained that due to the importance of the Guyana Police Force to the national security structure,

At that high level, the Minister noted that if a subordinate has done something which requires a reprimand, or some amount of proper assigning, those things can be done internally. “In fact, the President said he prefers that you have public praise and private reprimand, so that if something like that is done, the person is brought in and you say, man what is it you’ve done here? Let us correct it.”

Ramnarine was appointed to act as Police Commissioner for a 100-day period whilst his superior was on annual leave. The acting Commissioner then, with advice and the support of the force’s top management, promoted several ranks for their outstanding services and actions during this period. Upon his return, Commissioner Seelall instructed that all of the promotions approved by Ramnarine be rescinded.