Top Cop remaining in post an administrative decision – Pres. Granger

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 2, 2020

His Excellency President David Granger disclosed that the decision to have Commissioner of Police Leslie James remain in his post and not proceed on leave was an administrative one.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday, the Head of State explained that the Commissioner was asked to oversee operations for the General and Regional Elections.

“We are in a very unusual period of Guyana’s history and the Commissioner of Police was required to supervise a special operation to ensure there was no disturbance of the peace, or no disorder during the elections period and that is the reason why he is still at his post.”

President Granger reminded of the violent events of March 6 in the Upper Mahaica-Upper Berbice area (Region 5) where police had to be deployed and noted that the specific operation for the election period required the Police Commissioner to proceed on his leave at another time.

“It is an administrative decision, not a decision on any other legal or operational basis. But an administrative decision to allow him to supervise the conduct of that operation,” he emphasised.

The President also explained the Opposition Leader would have had to be consulted before a substantive commissioner is appointed.