Former Commissioner of Police Leslie James took the stand at today’s continuation of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections.
James was asked several questions primarily, about his involvement and the possible instructions given on the day and night of March 5, 2020, at the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Command Center at the Ashmin’s Building.
The former Commissioner said on the night of March 5, 2020, he saw several news reports and videos on social media about what he called “mayhem” at Ashmin’s building.
James said that he immediately gave instructions to the Tactical Service Unit to “secure” the building. He noted that following those instructions, he then saw videos surfacing of TSU Ranks escorting persons out of the building.
James acknowledged to the Commission that the removal of persons from Ashmin’s building by TSU Ranks was against the initial instructions given by him, but thought it necessary given the magnitude of “disorder” that was taking place.
The Commission however raised questions about evidence given prior to them by former Commander of the City Division Edgar Thomas. Thomas had testified that he was contacted by James and given specific instructions to clear the building.
James in response refuted the testimony given by Thomas, stating, “I never gave instructions to Thomas to have the building cleared… I never spoke to Thomas that night or discussed what was happening at Ashmin’s building.”
In addition, the former Commissioner testified that calls via cell phone and radio set were unanswered by Thomas. James told the Commission that after seeing the ordeal at the Ashmin’s building, he attempted several times to call Thomas who did not answer or return a call to him.
This prompted the Commission to ask further questions about whether any contact was made with any other Senior Officer on the ground to contact Thomas. James responded, “I didn’t think it was necessary.”
He noted that after Thomas became unreachable, he made a decision to remove Thomas as Commander and then appointed Deputy Commander Azore as Divisional Commander. When cross-examined, James testified that Thomas was not aware of his demotion as Commander.
The former Commissioner was then asked to say whether the decision to demote Thomas was a personal one, James said, “I made the decision as Commission of Police.”
James told the Commission that despite what was occurring at Ashmin’s building, no one from GECOM’s security, the Commissioners, or even the private security had contacted him about the incident. He made clear that he only knew what going on via news reports.
