MINISTER of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee under continued cross examination, yesterday, at the Linden Commission of Inquiry (COI) by A People’s Partnership for National Unity (APNU) attorney Mr. Basil Williams, outlined the reform and other developmental processes to which he made it clear that the reform of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is a work in progress.

After an array of questions from Williams, the minister stayed focused and detailed the answers as he outlined the various agencies and their contribution to the process of professionalising the force and noted the cost and other infrastructure.
Rohee was taken back to the events of July 17 and 18 and other related days and events of the Linden protest, and was told by Williams that it was a deliberate act to derail the five- day protest march of the people of Linden, as the minister indicated to him that his suggestion was not true.
Williams continued to persist to the minister that he had a plan and had placed Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken, the then Commander of Linden in charge of his derailing plans for the protest.
The attorney continued to suggest to the minister that after the Commander had failed to remove the protesters on the bridge at the first visit where they were confronted by the protesters the plan came into action later the afternoon.
He noted that with all the events including the planned power outage and the shooting which claimed the lives of three Lindeners, the fires and other activities were all part of the programme, which he then followed to later remove the Commander to safety out of the Division and relocated him to force headquarters.
The minister detailed his activities and made mention of the erroneous statements made by politicians to blame him for the events of July 18 and more, so as to see his removal from his ministerial post.
Rohee was asked about the recruitment process of the GPF to which he sought answers from the Commissioner of Police (COP).
The minister told the COI that the process is commenced from a divisional educational session and outreach programme where examination is being done and assessment to the Felix Austin Police College, and a basic requirement of three subjects at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examination.
The minister indicated to the COI that there were a number of reports on recommendation to the force, some which was in the process of implementation and some will be done soon.
The minister was told that his government and office has never given permission for an independent specialist to come and practise in Guyana to which the minister replied, that it was not true and since becoming the Minister of Home Affairs he had given permission on more than one occasion.
The COI saw evidence of persons who had sought compensation for damages, today stated their claims and detail of the activities to which they were asked to tender their statements and estimates.
The COI will continue today where the attorneys will make presentation for not more than an hour and a rapped session will follow as the Commission will take recess and return in January where assessment for compensation will be dealt with.