Yesterday, the nation learned that Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Clifton Hicken was appointed as the acting Commissioner of Police. The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the largest party in the opposition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) bloc, swiftly contended that the appointment/promotion is illegal.
But President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the decision is “a doctrine of necessity.” The Head of State opined that it is impossible for the nation to remain without a Police Commissioner, especially since Police Commissioner (ag) Nigel Hoppie will be proceeding on retirement leave within days.
President Ali made the statement Monday evening, while engaging journalists on the sidelines of the launch of the Master’s Degree programme in Strategic Development Studies, at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Georgetown.
“There is something called the doctrine of necessity, should I allow the country to function without an acting commissioner? There is a doctrine of necessity and in the doctrine of necessity, I appointed an acting commissioner,” Dr. Ali emphasized.
The President pointed out that there are several other senior officers in the force who will function as deputies.
“There are a number of deputies. Hicken was deputy operation, you have deputy admin, you have the Cime Chief and then you have (Senior Superintendent Ravindradat) Budhram,” the President added.
Hicken’s appointment takes effect on March 30, 2022.
The PNCR has threatened legal action if the appointment is not reversed. It contends that Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana states that ‘‘the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission after the Chairperson has consulted with the other member of the Commission’’.
But there is no Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly since Joseph Harmon resigned.
The PNCR said, “In the temporary absence of a Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission, any appointment of Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioners of Police is plainly unconstitutional.”
