Election CoI: Fmr Top Cop testifies he instructed TSU ranks to secure not evacuate Ashmins Building

…says there was “no need” to discipline officers for violating order

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the events that followed the March 2020 elections resumed on Wednesday, with former acting Police Commissioner Leslie James taking the stand to testify that he never instructed any rank of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to vacate the Ashmins Building as was done on March 5, 2020.

James was summoned by the CoI Secretariat and agreed to testify. He recalled that two years ago on March 5, he was following the events unfolding at the Ashmins Building, which housed the Office of the Returning Officer for Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) – Guyana’s largest voting district.
According to the former Top Cop, he observed and was informed of “mayhem” and “total disorder” taking place there hence he gave directives for order to be restored at the building. The then Police Chief said in addition to looking at live coverage of the events at Ashmins Building, he was being updated by Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Maxine Graham, who was directly liaising with ranks on the ground as well as officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
James noted that he deployed the Police Force’s Tactical Services Unit (TSU) to “secure” Ashmins Building.
“I told [them] that there was a breakdown in law and order, and there are potential damage to property and perhaps persons might have been injured, so I have given that directive for [them] to go there and secure the building… [that is, for them] to take all necessary steps to secure the personnel, the ranks there [who] were being assaulted verbally and physically… and ensure that law and order is maintained, and generally secure that location,” he explained.
However, James said he never ordered that the building be vacated. On March 5, Police ranks started to clear out Ashmins Building, including senior GECOM officials.
During his testimony, the former Police Commissioner (ag) was then asked whether having persons vacate the property was his instruction to the TSU, to which he responded “No”.

Unaware of Myers’ instruction
He further informed the CoI that he was unaware that it was the then Deputy Chief Elections Officer at GECOM, Roxanne Myers, who wanted to have Ashmins Building vacated on March 5, 2020. The former Top Cop disclosed too that he could not recall being told that Myers had complained to DC Graham that Thomas was not complying with her (Myers’) instructions to have the building vacated.
According to James, he only saw the ranks clearing out the building much later via video footage. Despite this, however, the then Top Cop disclosed that he did not take any action against those ranks who went against his instructions.
“I didn’t do nothing. There was no need for me to do anything at that point,” he told the CoI.

Removal of Edgar Thomas
At the time when the TSU showed up to the Ashmins Building, then Police Commander of Georgetown, Edgar Thomas was in charge on the ground. But he was subsequently replaced by his deputy at the instructions of James.
The former Police Commissioner (ag)testified that while he had contact with the Commander earlier in the day, there was a breakdown in that communication sometime around midday on March 5, 2020. As a result, James said he had Thomas removed after not being able to get into contact with him – something which, he admitted, the commander was unaware of.
“[Thomas] would’ve been unaware that his command was taken, because he was not contacted… The DC – Ops [Maxine Graham] was instructed to communicate the decision that he was no longer in command, because we didn’t want a conflict between himself and the person who was stood up as the commander,” James explained.
He added, “In all fairness to Mr Thomas, he may have been ignorant of the change in command that was made.”
Deputy Commander Phillip Azore, who worked under Thomas, was put in charge of the Division.
While the former Top Cop admitted that it would have been an awkward situation to have Azore take over control as Commander while Thomas was not aware of the change, he maintained that it was a necessary decision.
“Based on what was happening, based on the need for somebody to be there in command, that decision was made… I was a bit concerned [that I couldn’t get onto Thomas] because this is the Commander. We, we were in a crisis situation and he was unavailable. I had to take action,” James posited.
In addition to unsuccessful calls to Thomas’ cellphone, the former Top Cop revealed that he also tried contacting the Commander via the Police Force’s internal radio network. It was for this reason, according to James, and in the interest of security that Thomas was relieved of his command.
“It was purely in the interest of security of the personnel there, the property and the general activity, he was relieved… What I was seeing [happening] there required action by the person who was in command of that location, but that was sadly lacking,” the former Top Cop contended.

“Mayhem”
Since there was “mayhem” unfolding at the Ashmins Building, the former Police Chief was asked whether he did not think that Thomas was actively trying to control the situation on the ground, hence he could not be contacted at that point. In response, the former Top Cop said “No, it wasn’t a thought.”
Nevertheless, James went on to relate that he eventually received calls from Thomas later in the day, but he declined to take those calls since a decision was already taken to have him replaced and it was not necessary to talk to him at that point.
However, James recalled that a few days later he had summoned Thomas to the Police Headquarters for an inquiry into why he could not be contacted on March 5 and for abandoning his command.
The then Top Cop also confirmed that he had Thomas, who was an Assistant Commissioner of Police at the time, reposted to patrol duties, because he could not have been contacted on March 5, among other things.
The CoI resumed its work on Wednesday after nearly a month-long hiatus. The public hearings will continue on this morning with another witness who was summoned set to take the stand. (G8)