Greene on leave pending outcome of rape imbroglio
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon has confirmed that Police Commissioner Henry Greene will continue in his post, despite having reached the age of retirement. Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, at Office of the President, he made the declaration amidst calls by the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) for the Top Cop’s removal, pending investigations into rape allegations.
The Cabinet Secretary emphasised that Greene is still the Commissioner, even though he is on leave, until the outcome of the accusations made against him in the current imbroglio.
Luncheon explained: “Mr. Greene, essentially, has an agreement with the President, an agreement that sees his service extended beyond 55 but not longer than 60. As the Constitution provides for, prior to the stipulated age of retirement that is 55, were the Commissioner and Head of Government to enter into an agreement to serve beyond the age of 55 but no longer than 60 years of age, that agreement will be enforced.”
Asked to pronounce on the effects of the probe, the HPS noted that the matter is before the court and a pronouncement by Cabinet would be inappropriate at this time.
Greene has proceeded on leave, granted by President Donald Ramotar at his request, to facilitate the ongoing enquiries into the accusations made against him by a 34-year-old mother of two.
The woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Greene, on November 22, 2011, at a city hotel, after seeking his assistance in a police matter.
Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brummell is acting as Commissioner.