No 2 top cop critical after crash
Assistant Commissioner
Balram Persaud
Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud

Assistant Police Commissioner (Administration), Balram Persaud was in a critical condition at the Balwant Singh Hospital in the city yesterday following a vehicular accident at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) on Friday night.Reports are that Persaud, 54, was driving a motorcar on the western approach to the bridge on the West Bank on Friday evening when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a utility pole.
Medical sources close to the treatment of Persaud have indicated that based on the extent of his injuries his chances of survival stand at 50/50.
Persaud, according to police sources might have been heading to the Criminal Investigation Staff Party which was held on Friday evening at the Gravity Night Club at corner of Camp and Regent Streets. The senior police officer is presently on annual leave.
Based on the structure within the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Persaud , who joined the force in May 1984, is the second in command of the organization and would perform the duties of Commissioner of Police whenever the Top Cop, Seelall Persaud is out of the jurisdiction.
Balram Persaud was charged once for treason. He has been serving the GPF for many years and in many capacities, including divisional commander of at least two police divisions. He served in the Police ‘C’ and ‘D’ Divisions.
While serving as the ‘C’ Division Commander, he was hospitalised with a heart problem and after returning to work he was posted to ‘D’ Division where he has been credited with being one of the more effective commanders within that division, bringing crime and other unlawful activities under control.
He was removed as the Commander of ‘D’ Division after his driver was implicated in the fatal shooting of drug rehabilitation counselor , Ralph Turpin in September 2011 near the Stabroek Market area in down town Georgetown while he was performing chauffeur duties for the then commander. Turpin was 54 when he met his demise.
Ironically, the policeman, Sherwin Smith, who was a sergeant at the time, was charged with murder but he was later freed by the High Court.
Balram Persaud is one of several senior officers in the force who are due to retire soon.

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