President talks tough against corruption in Police Force

…says Govt will resist attempts to thwart reforms

Guyana’s President David Granger, on Thursday, during his address at the opening of the annual Police Officers’ Conference sent a very clear message to the top brass of Police Force that his administration is very much dissatisfied with the manner in which the issue of corruption is being addressed among ranks.
The President told those gathered that corruption must be tackled from the very top and throughout the Force, saying “if corruption is concealed, it will continue”. He stated that corruption cannot simply be addressed by transfers, promotions or demotions, but must be tackled head on.
The Head of State also said that with the Security Sector Reform Programme ongoing, his administration will confront any effort to prevent the reform of the security sector.

The president added that crime is the greatest impediment to human safety and economic prosperity of Guyana, noting that “crime must be curtailed if the people are going to be safe and if the state is secured.”
“My Government will resist any attempt in any quarter to reverse, retard, or to thwart the reforms on which we are embarking. Security reform is not a recent invention in this administration, the need became especially during the period of intense criminal violence”, he added.
Meanwhile, President Granger indicated that he is awaiting the appointment of a Chairman of the Public Service Commission before he can move ahead with the reconstitution of the Police Service Commission.
The Head of State told media operatives he is now looking to have this done by next month.
“I had an engagement with the Leader of the Opposition and we’ve settled the Teaching Service Commission and the Integrity Commission, and we will move onto the Public Service Commission. Once that is done, I hope as quickly as possible, maybe during February or March, that commission will be in place,” he indicated.
In the latter part of 2017 however, the President had said that he would like to see the Commission in place by the end of that year.
The life of the last Police Service Commission came to an end in September of 2017 and there have since been calls for its reconstitution.
In fact, concerns were further raised after there were no promotions of senior officers last year.
Before the life of the last Police Service Commission ended back in September of 2017, President David Granger had ordered in July, of that year, that it put a hold on the promotion of senior ranks.
Though that order was followed, the Courts later determined that it was illegal for the President to direct the autonomous Commission.
The new members of the Police Service Commission have already been selected but they are yet to be formally appointed.
The Police Force promoted 204 junior ranks last year.