Keep retired, ex-policemen away from Police Service Commission

Dear Editor,
With all of the hullabaloo concerning the Police Service Commission (PSC), it also underscored the need for this body to be staffed with civilians and other law enforcement professionals but not retired or ex-policemen since persons coming out of this service may act vindictively and prejudicially against lawmen or women who they would have interacted with during their terms of service in the Guyana Police Force and may have an axe to grind.
The retired policemen should only be advisors and not members of the Commission.
However, the PSC Chair, Mr Paul Slowe, has revealed himself along with his chosen biases based on his actions and inaction.
This entire matter stemmed from legal proceedings filed in the High Court by Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, who complained that he is being bypassed for promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police, even though he was recommended for promotion by the Commissioner of Police.
Investigations would reveal that when Slowe was the Commander in Berbice, he had issues with Brutus.
In response to Mr Slowe’s recent tirade against President Dr Irfaan Ali, Slowe placed himself under the microscope and has revealed his known innate biases rather than his self-proclaimed independence and professionalism.
The President has rejected Slowe’s accusation of “interfering” and so now he has to produce evidence to back his claim. Then he has to find further proof that the charges against him, of fraud and sexual assault, are untrue.
Additionally, we have learned that Mr Slowe has publicly aligned himself with opposition Members of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul and Roysdale Forde, attorneys Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Amanda Walton Desir to institute proceedings against the Government of Guyana.
To accuse President Ali of trying to influence him in favouring certain offices of the Police Force when Slowe’s term as PSC Chairman ends in August 2021 is ludicrous. Why would the President need to do any such things when it is the President that appoints the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police which are the most senior ranks of the Force?
The PSC is responsible for the promotion of gazetted ranks up to Assistant Commissioner of Police, which all fall under the Deputy Commissioners and Top Cop.
Back in July 2018, then Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo did inform former President David Granger that he had hang-ups regarding Paul Slowe’s possible appointment to head the Police Service Commission.
Jagdeo actually said that Slowe “… had ‘baggage’ which may cause him to be biased in carrying out his duties.”
It seems that Vice President Jagdeo was accurately far-sighted, and had his warnings been heeded by Former President David Granger, maybe the present charges of fraud and sexual molestation would not have been hanging over the head of Slowe.
In trying to besmirch the Head of State early in his Presidency, Mr Slowe’s anger stemmed from him being charged with eight others (retired senior ranks) jointly for fraud by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) for an alleged conspiracy to defraud the GPF of some $10 million.
Mr Slowe should get up and face his conscience and look deep within, he knows the truth of this matter, but like many others who would rather spew venom to distract the public from the real issues, he continues to fight a losing battle.

Sincerely,
Halim Khan