Top cop sends list to assessment committee

The assessment committee set up to review police promotions, is expected to review the list for officers promoted to the rank of corporals, sergeants and inspectors early next week. Yesterday, Secretary of the Police Second Division Cpl Noel Chase told Newsday that the Commissioner has completed his review of the list, and will be sending it to the committee early next week. He said that when the committee completes its work, letters will be sent to those by-passed for promotion giving them 14 days notice to respond.

He expects the promotions to follow. Next month will mark two years since promotions were made in the Second Division. Police Commissioner Trevor Paul at a recent press briefing said that he was aware that police officers were eagerly awaiting promotion and all efforts were being made to speed up the process. He hinted that the promotions would be made shortly in a bid to boost the morale of officers. Recently, several Ag Inspectors were served notices informing them that they were bypassed for promotion to the rank of inspector.

The Police Second Division intervened and asked the Police Service Commission to put a hold on promotions pending discussions with Commissioner Paul on the matter. Seventy-seven sergeants are expected to be promoted as well as 253 corporals to the rank of sergeants. There are 303 vacancies for sergeants in the Police Service although only 253 officers have passed the criteria set out for promotion. Some officers feel that the system being used for promotion is flawed as a result of favouritism.