As part of its 177th Anniversary celebrations, the Guyana Police Force has promoted some 187 Policemen and women to a higher rank.
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud promoted ranks of the Regular Force, Special Constabulary, Guystac and Rural Constabulary in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the job and the people of Guyana.
The promotions will take effect from July 16.
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud
A total of 46 Corporals were elevated to the rank of Sergeant. This includes 16 female officers.
Some 60 officers were promoted to the rank of Corporal. There were 36 Constables, of which seven were females, and 24 Lance Corporals, of which 13 were females.
Meanwhile, another 33 Constables, inclusive of five females, were promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
On the other hand, as it relates to Special Constabulary regular ranks, six Corporals were promoted to Sergeant, of which only two were males. In addition, six Lance Corporals and two Constables were elevated to the rank of Corporal. These include four female Lance Corporals and one female Constable.
Moreover, there were two female ranks among 12 Constables who were promoted to Lance Corporal.
In relation to the Guystac ranks, only two of them, both of whom are women Corporals, were elevated to the rank of Sergeant. Another two females; one Lance Corporal and one Constable, were promoted to Corporal. Additionally, two Constables have advanced to the rank of Lance Corporals.
With regards to Rural Constabulary, the Police promoted four Corporals to the rank of Sergeant, while 12 Constables received promotion to the rank of Corporal. These were all male ranks.
Last year, Commissioner Persaud promoted some 333 ranks in total.
An internal board headed by the Police Commissioner is responsible for making promotions of officers from the rank of Sergeant to Constable. Those from the rank of Inspector to Assistance Commissioner of Police (ACP) are promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC). Meanwhile, the appointments of Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner are done by Government.
However, senior ranks of the Police Force were left disappointed after the PSC announced in December that annual promotions, which are usually declared in December or early January, have been delayed until February 23, 2016.
However, those ranks from Inspectors and upwards are yet to know whether they have elevated or not, since those promotions have not been announced. It was reported that the final list of promotions were handed over to President David Granger, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan and Police Commissioner Persaud.
In December 2015, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee had called for Police promotions to be put on hold citing the high number of disciplinary matters pending. Days later, the PSC announced that it was putting a hold on the promotions, explaining that the list of nominees for promotion was submitted late.
