Police commission complies with ‘unconstitutional’ order to halt promotions review

Although President David Granger’s recent directive to the Police Service Com-mission to halt its consideration of promotions is unconstitutional, Chairman Omesh Satyanand yesterday said that some members of the body have decided to comply.

“It was put on hold until further notice but it is unconstitutional,” Satyanand told Stabroek News, after he was asked whether the president has the authority to issue such a directive and the commission’s intended course of action. He explained that because of the letter containing the directive, “some of members have decided to put it on hold… .”

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition last Tuesday highlighted the directive, which was issued through a letter, dated July 26, 2017, by State Minister Joseph Harmon to Marvalyn Stephens, the Secretary of the Police Service Com-mission. It stated, “His Excellency, President David Granger has directed that there be no consideration of promotions for members of the Guyana Police Force by the Police Service Commission until further notice.”