Cop wins promotion lawsuit

A POLICEMAN yesterday won a lawsuit in the San Fernando High Court against the Police Service Commission (PSC) for non-promotion.  Justice Carlton Best ordered the Commission to promote Curtis Paul, 44, to the rank of Corporal effective May 2, 2002 after ruling that  the PSC had acted illegally and unfairly by failing to consider the policeman’s capability for promotion.

Paul, of Laventille Road, Febeau Village, San Juan, was granted leave by Justice Joseph Tam last year to seek judicial review of the PSC’s decision not to promote him.  In an affidavit, Paul highlighted his achievements during his 23 years of service as a constable, listing his awards and commendations. Paul, who had been an acting Corporal for the past five years, said the Police Commissioner informed him in a letter that he was not promoted because the ratings on his annual staff report were merely “satisfactory”. The policeman contended that such a rating covered a period when he was on a year’s vacation leave and all his other ratings had been “exceptional”. He further stated that junior policemen were promoted ahead of him. The State responded to the contention with affidavits filed by Snr Supt Mathew Shallowe from Police Administration and Gloria Edwards-Joseph, deputy Director of Personnel Administration on behalf of the PSC.

When the case came up for hearing last week, Best told attorneys for the State that Paul’s case, despite its affidavits in response, was not challenged. The judge advised the PSC, represented by State Counsel Ann-Marie Rambaran to settle. Attorney Anand Ramlogan represented Paul. Yesterday, the State consented and the judge ordered that the PSC consider Paul’s promotion retroactively from May 2, 2002. The judge also agreed to a declaration that the PSC acted illegally and unfairly in contravention of the Police Service Regulations by failing to consider Paul’s application for promotion. As he left court yesterday, Paul told Newsday his victory was for the entire Police Service.