Paul Slowe caught in his web of unprofessionalism – Ali

…rejects claim of influencing Police Service Commission

President Dr Irfaan Ali has staunchly denied claims made by Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Paul Slowe, that he interfered in the functioning of the Commission, noting that all contact he had with Slowe was with the utmost professionalism as Head of State.

The President was on Monday referring to PSC Chairman Slowe, who had earlier held a virtual press conference with his lawyer, Selwyn Pieters, during which he accused the Head of State of attempting to influence the Commission’s promotion of officers.

Malicious
Labelling this claim as malicious, the President said that all he did was have a meeting with Slowe like he had meetings with other independent Commissioners and the Judiciary.
“I find it convenient and opportunistic that Mr Paul Slowe would make the accusation that I tried to influence him and the work of the Police Service Commission. This is not only far from the truth, but it is a malicious attempt to change the narrative,” President Ali said in the statement.
“Mr Slowe, like other independent Commissioners, the Judiciary, and I had a meeting. At that meeting, I raised various concerns with him that were brought to my attention without prejudice. As President, my desire is to see these Commissions function professionally and independently.”
The President asked about the evidence or the result of the influence that Slowe claimed was exerted on him. According to Ali, it is, in fact, Slowe who has brought the independence of the Commission he serves into question. Here, the President drew reference to Slowe’s choice of legal counsel, who include Opposition Members of Parliament.

“It is clear as day that Mr Slowe is bringing the independence and professionalism of the PSC into question when he aligns the PSC with Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul and retain Opposition Members of Parliament Roysdale Forde, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, Amanda Walton Desir to institute proceedings against the Government of Guyana.”
This action of Slowe, the President said, is what he should explain. “How can an independent commissioner align himself with a political party and a political party member’s action against the Government? Where is the independence?” the President questioned, while pointing that his meeting with Slowe occurred just months into his Presidency, yet the PSC Chairman was raising it now. According to Ali, this is opportunistic behaviour on the part of Slowe.
“It is therefore not only opportunistic but a total lie that my meeting with Mr Slowe was to exercise any influence. This level of distortion and public mischief by the Chairman of this Commission exposes his leadership and alignment.”
“My meeting with Mr Slowe was within the first few months of my Presidency, more than eight months ago; the question is, why only now? I guess his unprofessional exposure and links are making him desperate,” the statement said.
During his press conference with his Attorney-at-Law Pieters, Slowe claimed that the President met with him and also telephoned him. Slowe claimed that during those interactions, the President tried to persuade him to have officers with disciplinary matters promoted.

Fraud, sexual assault charges
Slowe is presently facing charges of conspiracy to defraud the Guyana Police Force of $10 million. He has also been accused of sexually assaulting a female officer, something he has denied.
Prime Minister Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips recently wrote to Slowe and fellow retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Clinton Conway, asking that they show cause why the charges levelled against them should not merit their removal from the Commission. During the press conference, it was acknowledged by Pieters that the Prime Minister was within his rights to do this.