Opposition to challenge confirmation of Top Cop

By Jomo Paul

[www.inewsguyana.com] –Leader of the Opposition, David Granger today signalled the possibility that Guyana’s political opposition may be looking to challenge the recent confirmation of Seelall Persaud as Commissioner of Police.

Persaud, who was acting in the capacity of Police Commissioner since early 2014, was officially confirmed in the capacity by President Donald Ramotar on Tuesday March 10.

Guyana’s constitution mandates that the Opposition Leader be consulted on the appointment of the Police Commissioner, but according Granger, this was not done.

Article 211 of the Constitution states that the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultations with the Leader of the Opposition and Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission.

“I see he went off and purported to swear in the Acting Commissioner in the capacity of substantive commissioner. I don’t know how that could be done in defiance of Article 211 of the Constitution,” said the Opposition Leader.

Granger maintained that as far as he is concerned, Persaud is still the acting Police Commissioner.

“I did not have consultation with the President within the meaning of meaningful consultation under Article 211,” he said in response to iNews’ question.

When asked what action was planned in this regard, he pointed out that it is being handled by the Opposition’s Attorneys.