Home Letters APNU+AFC chose political manipulation instead of reforms
Dear Editor,
In Monday’s edition of Stabroek News, quoting extensively from the Alliance For Change’s David Patterson, there is a calculated and dishonest attempt to portray Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo as the arbiter of police promotions.
This is a blatant falsehood. The Constitution is clear in that promotions within the Guyana Police Force are the responsibility of the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service Commission.
The Vice President, speaking on behalf of the Government, rightly brought national attention to the concerns expressed by officers who served with loyalty and distinction and believe they were deliberately denied advancement.
To claim that Dr Jagdeo “presided over” promotions is pure political mischief intended to distract from the truth. It was the APNU+AFC who systematically undermined morale, stalled promotions, and stripped away the Joint Services bonus.
The PPP/C Government, under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, has taken decisive action to address these concerns.
The promotions policy is clear and merit-based in that constables with five to seven years of clean service advance to corporal, while those with eight to ten years to sergeant, and officers with over twenty years to inspector.
This rewards longevity, discipline, and performance while opening career pathways that were deliberately blocked by the former administration.
Our reforms go far beyond promotions. Salary inequities among the lower ranks have been corrected, ensuring that those who carry the greatest operational burdens are compensated fairly. The Joint Services bonus, callously removed by the APNU+AFC, has been restored as part of a deliberate policy to rebuild morale and respect within the force.
The government has also made record investments in modern policing through new patrol vehicles, the rollout of body cameras for accountability, expansion of the Safe City project for enhanced surveillance, and the introduction of advanced forensic and communications equipment. These are supported by continuous training programmes and technical upgrades, ensuring that the Guyana Police Force is equipped, prepared, and capable of meeting the demands of modern law enforcement.
The APNU+AFC had every opportunity to deliver these reforms but chose neglect and political manipulation instead. The PPP/C Administration is uplifting the GPF into a motivated, respected, and professional institution capable of delivering law and order to every citizen and free from the partisan interference.
Yours Sincerely,
Kwame Mc Coy
Minister within the
Office of the Prime
Minister