Paul Slowe is chairman of newly sworn-in Police Service Commission

 – President calls on Commission to ensure persons of “highest calibre” are appointed to Guyana Police Force

– “The days of concealing Security Sector mistakes and misdeeds are over” – President Granger

– Lindo Creek COI report exposes urgent need for Security Sector Reform

– Commanders must possess independence, integrity and intelligence

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, August 9, 2018

The five-member Police Service Commission (PSC) was today sworn-in by President David Granger and will serve for a period of three years.

The commission is chaired by former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Paul Slowe, who also took the oath to serve in that capacity.

The Head of State said Slowe was appointed following consultations with the Leader of the Opposition, as prescribed by the Constitution of Guyana.

In his address to the newly sworn-in commissioners, which includes Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Michael Somersall, the president said the Guyana Police Force can only effectively fulfill its tasks, as stipulated by the Constitution, if it is commanded by a corps of officers who are “competent, committed and uncorrupted.”

President David Granger and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC)

President David Granger, members of the Police Service Commission, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon [far left] and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan [far right]

It is therefore incumbent upon the commission to ensure persons of the highest caliber are appointed to the Police Force, the president emphasised.

The GPF’s commanders, he said, must possess the attributes of independence, intelligence and integrity.

The Police Service Commission, the president noted, is vested with the authority to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in high offices within the Force or even remove them from office.

“This is an important function in the present security situation. Security Sector Reform is being pursued, it is expected that future appointees will vigorously carry out the approved reforms which aim at restoring public trust and reinforcing the Force’s capability of fighting crime,” President Granger said.

The need for Security Sector Reform has become more urgent following the release of the report of the Lindo Creek Commission of Inquiry into the death of eight miners in 2008, the president added.

The findings of the report reveal the need for a more careful selection of officers and improved intelligence gathering.

President Granger made it clear that, “the days of concealing Security Sector’s mistakes and misdeeds are over, the Force’s officers will be held accountable for their actions and for their instructions they issue to their subordinates.”

The commission’s independent status, the president said, can contribute to building public trust in the Guyana Police Force, boosting morale of the officers and to ensuring the efficacy of law enforcement.

Vesta Adams, Clinton Conway and Claire Jarvis are the other members of the commission.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Security Sector Reform Adviser, Russell Combe and officials of the Guyana Police Force attended the event.

By: Stacy Carmichael

Images: Keno George