More than four weeks after Rishi Das requested to be relieved of his post as Deputy Crime Chief, his wish was granted by acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine.
The acting Top Cop told media operatives on Monday that Das’s request was debated and after considering several factors, the decision was taken.
Deputy Crime Chief Rishi Das
Das will now take up a position in the admin section of the Force. While Ramnarine did not reveal the new post, Guyana Times understands that Das will be working closely with Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken.
Das made the request during the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger. However, one of the recommendations made by the Commission was to remove Das from his present post after the CoI found that he was neglectful by omitting the date from a report that was submitted to Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud when the allegation was first made by Andriff Gillard.
The report also stated that he should be disciplined on grounds that he claimed he was of the opinion that a proper investigation was not done, and he did nothing as the Deputy Crime Chief or when he acted as Crime Chief to have the situation corrected. This, the Commission said, speaks volumes of his competence to occupy such a position.
“His efficacy in the CID [Criminal Investigation Department] also comes into question, and, therefore, [he] should be removed from the Department,” the CoI report stated. Das has another three years to retire from the Guyana Police Force.
Only recently, substantive Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum proceeded on annual leave amounting to at least two months, but Das refused to act in that capacity, claiming that he was ill and wanted some sick leave.
Owing to this development, F Division (Lethem and other Interior Locations) Commander, Rabindranauth Budhram was earmarked to take up the post, but on account of an ongoing investigation in that Division with respect to the discovery of an illegal airstrip and aircraft, he was reconsidered. As such, Senior Superintendent of Police, Paul Williams was posted to head the CID.
Acting as Deputy Crime Chief is Michael Kingston.
