By Michael Younge
The Government of Guyana has denied that it is in receipt of a formal resignation from former Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine, who was not confirmed in that post by Commander of the armed forces, President David Granger, last month when he made a substantive appointment after a one-year hiatus.
Vice President and Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, speaking with Guyana Times International last Friday during an invited comment, confirmed that no official resignation has been received from the Assistant Commissioner from by his office or the Police Service Commission.
He described as “false” reports in some sections of the media which suggested that the senior law enforcement officer had resigned, but did not venture to make any other statements beyond that, even though he confirmed in the process that Ramnarine had proceeded on annual leave and other outstanding leave entitlements.
Asked to confirm whether he has
resigned or has plans of doing so last Friday, Ramnarine declined to answer the question, explaining only that he wished to enjoy “privacy” while he was on his leave.
“Haven’t I given enough to public service in this country and in the Force?,” he asked before declining to answer any questions about his plans after failing to win the president’s support to remain in the post of Police Commissioner, and the chance to be promoted to the post of Deputy Commissioner.
He would only say that he stands by everything he has said in the media on the subject matter, and wished to be allowed to live a quiet life.
Last week, reports surfaced that Ramnarine felt he was slighted and had been a victim of the system, having not been chosen to serve as the country’s new top cop, despite the fact that he was senior to all those who were appointed and promoted. He had even served as the country’s acting commissioner for over a year after Seelall Persaud had retired from the job.
President Granger has insisted that he followed the Constitution and the advice of the Police Service Commission when he appointed Leslie James to the post of Police Commissioner.
He said he relied heavily on the advice of the Chairman, Paul Slowe, before any decision was taken, and he insisted that James was the best choice. Before making his pick and ahead of meeting Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, Granger had outlined that the candidate he would select must be someone who is “unbribable”.
Slowe, last week, was quoted in another section of the media as saying that Ramnarine was not chosen because of the details contained in his personal and service file, which had some worrying trends about his performance within the Guyana Police Force.
He insisted that he had recused himself from the process somewhat at the level of the PSC because he was head of a Commission of Inquiry which had criticised Ramnarine and others for their handling of an alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.
Blame game
Also, reports on an online news agency and social media also sought to blame the political Opposition, the People’s Progress Party, and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo for Ramnarine’s non-appointment.
But Jagdeo pushed back on Saturday, explaining that any entity peddling that view point was engaged in misinformation and lies.
Jagdeo, speaking exclusively with Guyana Times International, even reminded that he had enquired why Ramnarine was side-stepped and his name not included on the list of persons to be appointed to various posts.
He noted that his party, the Peoples Progressive Party, has not made any public objections to Ramnarine’s appointment, nor has it endorsed Ramnarine or any other candidate. Jagdeo said any other PPP Members who have done so were expressing their opinions, and have no authority to speak on behalf of the PPP as a collective.
Ramnarine joined the Guyana Police Force in April 1991. He became an Assistant Police Commissioner at the age of 40. He is 49 years old.
