Several junior Berbice ranks have reached out to Stabroek News to voice their dissatisfaction with the recent promotions within the police force.
They are claiming that some of those persons promoted have matters pending against them while some who were bypassed have had exemplary records for many years now and were part of solving high profile matters.
The upset ranks are calling for the promotions to be investigated and for those who are rightfully deserving of same to be promoted.
A police corporal, who has not received any promotion since 1995, explained that he had been stationed in Berbice for over eight years and was only recently transferred but was not considered for a promotion although he had manned all of the stations in Region Six at one point or another.
Additionally, he noted that he was part of the investigation into the murder of a British teenager and it was his informant that led to the discovery of the body and which then resulted in the arrest of the alleged perpetrators.
He feels as though his efforts were never recognized and other ranks who played a role in the case were pushed ahead after they took credit.
The corporal said it is disheartening that every year he looks forward for his name to be on the list because he knows that he has put in the work but he never makes the cut for reasons unknown to him. Additionally, he said, being left at one rank for many years now is affecting his family since his salary has remains stagnant and sometimes he feels unmotivated to continue to work hard.
A detective constable in Region Six has also spoken out as he has not received any promotion since joining the force 18 years ago although being a part of many high profile cases which have resulted in charges being filed against the perpetrators.
The constable yesterday opined that most persons promoted are those close to senior persons while some have disciplinary and other matters pending against them.
According to the ranks, one person who was promoted to corporal has a pending Office of Professional Responsibility matter, while one promoted to sergeant has faced accusations of illicit conduct in two different regions. One promoted to sergeant was charged with assault earlier last year, while another promoted to corporal has charge sheets pending and another promoted to sergeant was charged in 2018 for causing actual bodily harm. Further, one person who was promoted to lance corporal is a relative of a senior officer and has only been in the force for about two years now.
Meanwhile, another rank, who has not received any promotion for several years now, yesterday stressed to Stabroek News that there needs to be several changes in the force in the ways in which “things are done”. He added that sometimes decisions are made which affect the junior ranks and their families but “nobody don’t communicate with us before”.
He said there also needs to be an investigation into how transfers are handled. “They does transfer you to areas without even thinking about your family and people who have several accusations and charges against them don’t get transfer for years”, he said.
Senior promotions in the police force have been put on hold following court action launched by Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Brutus.
