Retired Justice William Ramlal’s tenure as Chair-man of Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is currently in limbo as government is yet to renew his contract, which expired at the beginning of this month.
Ramlal’s three-year-contract was signed on the 1st of September, 2018. It expired on the 1st of October, 2021.
In a July 28, 2021 letter, which has been seen by Sunday Stabroek, Ramlall wrote to President Irfaan Ali requesting a renewal of the contract. “I most respectfully make an application for my contract to be renewed for a further period of three years,” the letter states.
Less than a month after, Ramlal received correspondence from the Office of the President acknowledging receipt of his request.
“On behalf of his Excellency, the President, I acknowledge receipt of your letter……requesting renewal of your contract for a further period of three years. Please be informed that your letter is receiving attention,” the acknowledgement letter, which is dated the 10th August, 2021, stated.
To date, sources said, Ramlal has not received a formal response from Ali on his request.
Contacted for an update on the matter, Attorney General Anil Nandlall told Sunday Stabroek that as far as he is aware the contract was supposed to be renewed by the President.
He said it is unclear why this has not been done as yet. “…It is just an oversight I believe,” Nandlall said.
Ramlal’s contract states that he would be paid a fixed salary of $1,413,000 monthly and would be entitled to have a duty allowance of $1,600, $1400 entertainment allowance, $25,000 housing allowance and $30,000 commuted allowance monthly.
In addition, the contract states that Ramlal will be provided with a car and driver by the state or entitlement to duty free concession of up to 4000 cc per three years period.
He would also have an entitlement of a 24-hour guard service at his residence.
The PCA, which is an independent body, was established by the Police Complaints Authority Act 1989 (No. 9/1989) and came into being on December 29, 1989 by virtue of Order No. 4/1990. It started to function on January 2, 1990.
Ramlal was sworn in as Chairman of the PCA in September 2018, by then President David Granger.
He replaced former Chancellor Cecil Kennard, who had been chairman since 2002, but was forced to step down in 2017 by Granger because of his advanced age.
At the time, Kennard was almost 80 years old.
It is unclear whether Ramlal is still functioning as the Chairman of the PCA.
Presently, the PCA is investigating the murder of businessman Orin Boston, who was shot and killed in his Essequibo home during what was said to be an anti-crime operation in September.
The case file was forwarded to the PCA for a “review” more than a month ago.
