While promotion of senior members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have been put on a hold, 296 junior ranks have been promoted.
In his New Year’s message, Commissioner of Police (ag) Nigel Hoppie announced the list of promotions, which took effect from January 1st.
Hoppie urged the ranks who were not promoted to remain patient. “To those who have not been promoted I urge that you be patient and murmur not, one day you will reap your just reward,” he said.
For those who were promoted, Hoppie challenged them to view it as an “even greater” step towards higher heights in the force.
In his message, Hoppie noted that the past year has been one where several members of the force were charged for crimes, such as robbery, manslaughter, assault and corruption.
This, he said, was of “great” concern to the force and, therefore, focus was placed on the existing Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs).
“We have modified some SOPs and have created new ones, where necessary, and we are also in the process of updating our Standing Orders,” Hoppie said.
Those promoted included 86 Corporals, including 15 women, who were elevated to Sergeant; 116 Lance Corporals who were elevated to the rank of Corporal; 41 Constables who were elevated to Lance Corporal; 10 Corporals who were elevated to Special Sergeants; and 19 Constables who were elevated to Special Lance Corporal.
Additionally, 23 ranks were promoted to Special Corporal and one to Rural Sergeant.
Acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire granted an order last Thursday blocking the ascent of several senior members within the force to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police after Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Brutus moved to the High Court to challenge the promotion of several senior ranks, who were listed for promotions ahead of him despite disciplinary matters pending against them. Brutus is asking the court to overrule the Police Service Commission (PSC) practice of prohibiting the promotion of ranks who have pending disciplinary matters.
In his application to the court, Brutus is asking to court to make a declaration that the policy of the PSC not to promote or consider for promotion ranks with pending disciplinary matters before it is unlawful; a declaration that he is entitled to be promoted to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police and an order cancelling the decision of the PSC denying his appointment to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police
He also requested an order cancelling the decision of the PSC to promote Edmond Cooper, Philip Azore and Kurleigh Simon, Senior Superintendents of Police, to the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police and to compel the PSC to reconsider its decision not to promote him to Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He stated that a number of the ranks who are down to be promoted also have disciplinary matters before them dating as far back as 2016. His matter is dated 2019.
Brutus was appointed to the rank of Senior Superintendent of Police in 2015. In October, 2019 it was alleged by the Deputy Commissioner – Administration that Brutus committed a breach of discipline.
As a result, the PSC had appointed Assistant Commissioner Andries-Junor to investigate the allegation.
A breach of discipline notice was not served upon the Applicant until October, 2020. Brutus is arguing that the investigation has not progressed since then.
Nigel Hoppie