Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell is due to retire at the end of the month but his substantive replacement remains top secret.
Brumell, who reached the age of retirement last week, will serve until March 31, after an agreement between President Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger.
Crime Chief Seellal Persaud has been mentioned as a possible replacement and there is also the possibility of an extension of Brumell’s tenure.
Granger yesterday confirmed that President Ramotar made contact with him with respect to an extension of Brumell’s term and it was agreed during the consultation that he would remain in office until the end of this month.
Asked if there were any discussions about candidates for the post, Granger replied in the negative. He further noted that he preferred not to comment on his choice for a suitable replacement at this time. He said he would await an invitation from the President to consult on the vacancy.
Stabroek News was told that with Brumell’s possible exit and the approaching retirement of ‘A’ Division Commander George Vyphuis, there is likely to be some reshuffling in the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force.
This newspaper was informed that Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine and may once again be appointed a Divisional Commander. Deputy Crime Chief Winston Costbert is also said to be line for a promotion to Divisional Commander.
Over the years, the person holding the Crime Chief post has been the first in line to be appointed commissioner. The appointment of Brumell was an exception. He took the reins of the force in December 2011, after the now deceased Henry Greene proceeded on leave in wake of a rape scandal. At the time, Brumell was a Divisional Commander and Persaud was the Crime Chief. Greene several months later tendered his resignation to the President.
Granger’s choice for Top Cop after Greene’s exit had been Brumell and it was rumoured among some sections that Persaud was the administration’s favoured choice.
In October last year, Granger had told the media that he considered Brumell the best qualified man to be confirmed as Police Commissioner. More than his years of service and experience, Granger said that Brumell had held the acting Commissioner position for some time now, making him familiar with the requirements of the post, and therefore the best suited candidate.
Brumell was also considered to be the most senior policemen in the force. An emotional Brumell was finally sworn in as Commissioner by the President on October 7 last year.
