THE transfer of ranks in the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is part of the kit, said Acting Police Commissioner, Leroy Brumell at a press conference held yesterday at the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

He was responding to questions about the “shakedown” in the GPF after alleged acts of corruption had surfaced in regard to the fast-tracking of firearm licences for which monies are taken.
Asked what role the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) plays in the issuance of firearms licences, he said that, dating back to former Home Affairs Minister, Ronald Gajraj’s tenure in office, before any issuance of firearm licences to persons who apply for firearms legally, the Police Commissioner gets a report from the Divisional Commander, after which a report is prepared and forwarded to the MoHA.
He explained that under the MoHA, a Firearm Advisory Board was established to peruse the application/report, and the decision made is forwarded to the Police Commissioner, then a permit is issued based on the approval.
However, asked if he could confirm whether a senior officer was transferred after he had been fingered in the fast-tracking of firearm licences, the top cop told reporters that, in the GPF, transfer of ranks is part of the kit.
He added that ranks are routinely shifted around, and when the time comes for them to be moved, it would happen. He noted that in his career he was transferred more than six times in one year.
Brumell stated that ranks are not intentionally transferred based on allegations of corruption or misconduct; but he admitted that he had heard “some things”, had spoken to Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, and was looking and listening. But, he said, there comes a time when ranks should be moved; however, they are still on the job, just transferred.
The top cop responded to the question of corruption (shakedown) by saying he had spoken publicly and to the Divisional Commanders about ‘shakedowns’, especially those involving foreign nationals, and it is not something that the GPF condones.
He said the GPF has tried its utmost to eliminate shakedowns. Ranks have been disciplined, and some have been placed before the court for corruption, in order to make them an example to others.
Brumell said, “I joined this job in 1977 when I got married. Things were not right financially, so I borrowed loans through the Police Welfare Department. I never thought of shakedowns (corruption). So I encourage (ranks) to apply for loans rather than shakedown people.”
Crime Chief Seelall Persaud said there are several models of policing from around the world, where the very resourceful countries have a lot of specialisation and overlapping functions. “But locally, we have to adopt models for general training of police and some level of specialisation, because we do not have the amount of resources available to us as in developing countries.”
Persaud said that in training for general policing, people have to be exposed in different areas; hence the notion of transfer being part of the kit wherefrom entrants to the GPF ranks are issued uniform, baton, whistle etc.
Persaud noted that it is necessary to transfer ranks in order for them to gain exposure to all aspects of policing, in keeping with the general model adopted locally.