Ramjattan says Blanhum will not be removed as Crime Chief

Dubbed a ‘serious pillar’ in the Police Force

– Assistant Commissioner Williams to act as Crime Chief

The recent move to send Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum on leave has sparked controversy, with many persons claiming that the decision is one that could be a clear indication that there may be some major reconfigurations waiting to take place within the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

But Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has put those rumours to rest, stating that Blanhum had accumulated excessive leave and based on a request from him, leave was granted. In fact, Ramjattan said the Crime Chief had accumulated over one hundred days annualised vacation.
“I noticed that a lot of people are saying we are trying to get rid of Blanhum. Blanhum is a serious pillar in this Police Force. Whatever it is, understand that; and he has done a fantastic job in the opinion of the Government and in the opinion of the Minister,” Ramjattan told media operatives on Thursday.
The Minister stressed that he would need the Crime Chief back on duty in time for Christmas when there is always a peak in criminal activities. His leave was approved for September to December, 2017.
In explaining what took place after Blanhum proceeded on leave, Ramjattan explained that while Blanhum’s Deputy Detective Senior Superintendent Rishi Das would have been the next person in train to take up that post in his absence. Das decline and later fell ill on the job.

Given the circumstances, the initial decision was made to have Commander of F Division (Interior locations), Assistant Superintendent Rabindranath Budhram take over until such time. However, it was felt that Budhram was doing an already good job in his assigned area and that he should remain there.
“We need Budhram in F Division because you would appreciate that that Division has three regions under it (Regions Two, Seven and Nine) and Budhram has been doing an extremely good piece of work since he has taken on that Division. And we are also doing a further sub-divisioning of F Division,” he added.
The Minister said at this point in time, Assistant Commissioner Paul Williams will act as head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) until Blanhum returns. Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Lindon Alves will act as Commander of B Division (Berbice).
“He (Williams) has a law degree and the arguments were made that he would be better placed there,” he further added.

Ramjattan asserted that when a senior Police Officer is on leave it automatically puts pressure on the system and leads to a temporary reshuffling that is necessary to keep the Force functioning effectively. He argued that while the temporary reshuffling has raised some suspicion, this is not the case.
“It is about strengthening and ensuring that we have continuity in where it should be…So, it is not what is going on wrong. The implicit messaging of your questions is as if a whole set of things going on wrong. No, it’s not and we are trying as best as possible to address this issue.”