The appointment of a substantive Police Commissioner could take a while longer, as there are certain clear plans that must be first put in place to make way for this to happen.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, said Thursday the appointment of a new Police Commissioner is dependent on an agreement with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.
Speaking to the press briefly, the President said the Police Service Commission and the Public Service Commission must both be appointed in order to make way
Guyana Police Force Headquarters
for the nomination of a new Top Cop.
“Well, again I have to resort to consultation with Leader of the Opposition, and the Chairman of the Public Service also has to be appointed,” he asserted. Asked how soon these commissions, particularly the latter, could see becoming effective, he said that due process will also have to follow for those.
Crime Chief Paul Williams recently expressed confidence in taking up the most senior job within the Guyana Police Force, saying that he is prepared and ready if given the chance to serve as the next Police Commissioner. Williams is said to be the top pick to take over the helm of the Force, with Assistant Commissioner Nigel Hoppie as his second in command.
Williams was recently interviewed for the position along with: David Ramnarine, Clifton Hicken, Leslie James, Lyndon Alves, Marlon Chapman, Nigel Hoppie, and Maxine Graham.
David Ramnarine has been acting in the capacity of the Top Cop for quite some time now, and there has been speculation that he may cop the title too.
In November of 2017, when asked whether Williams was likely to take up the mantle, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, who was then acting in the capacity of Public Security Minister, offered no direct reply.
Harmon, however, had hinted at the possibility of a female assuming the position of Top Cop when he outlined that while there was a line of succession in the Guyana Police Force, female officers were also to be considered when deciding on a Police Commissioner.
In so doing, he noted, “You don’t just look at the male ranks in the Police Force; we have female officers as well. And therefore if it is that a female officer is to be the person, then so be it.”
Nevertheless, as mandated by the Constitution, the President would have consultations with the Opposition Leader on the names for the Top Cop position and the Deputy Commissioners of Police.
