PRESIDENT David Granger told media operatives yesterday morning that contrary to popular belief, he is not usurping the authority of Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud, since it is the “top cop” who has the power to effect transfers in the organisation.President Granger, however, confirmed that he did speak with Commissioner Persaud personally, asking him to put a hold on the transfers of some named senior police ranks until the minister designate is appointed.
On Monday, several senior police officers received letters informing them that they would be taking up posts in other divisions with immediate effect. The move followed the removal of Assistant Commissioner Brian Joseph from ‘B’ Division to head the Presidential Guard Service, with the aid of Senior Superintendent Linden Alves.
“What I asked him to do is to give us a few hours to allow the designated minister for public security to take office; that’s all. I did not give an instruction; I said in all fairness to the incoming minister, he should be aware of the changes which are taking place,” President Granger told journalists yesterday.
Among those who received letters to shift from various posts to others within the Force are Assistant Commissioners Christopher Griffith, Marlon Chapman and Leslie James, along with Senior Superintendents Errol Watts, Whitney Bacchus, Wendell Blanhum and Steven Mansell.
Mr. Granger confirmed that the post of Minister of Public Security is one that will be filled by a nominee from the Alliance For Change (AFC), and that person would be sworn in this afternoon.
Already, speculation is rife that Attorney-at-Law, Khemraj Ramjattan will be taking up the Home Affairs portfolio, which has now been renamed the Ministry of Public Security.
“It is just a matter of a day or two until the new minister comes in, because there are significant changes in the highest levels of the Guyana Police Force. I am not intruding; I am not attempting to intrude into the realm of responsibility of the Police Commissioner,” the President assured reporters.
He also reminded the media, and made it clear, that the decisions to effect transfers of officers within the Guyana Police Force to various departments are functions that the Commissioner has the authority to carry out.
As he reiterated: “All I asked when I spoke with him personally, ‘I said please wait until the minister comes in so the minister can be aware of what is taking place; the minister ought to know.’ It was not an instruction; I asked him to reconsider.”
His Excellency addressed the issue after he was approached by journalists moments after meeting with permanent secretaries and heads of key government agencies yesterday at the Guyana International Convention Centre, which, according to him, will be renamed ‘The Arthur Chung Convention Centre’.

By Leroy Smith