168 constables promoted

Acting Commissioner of Police Glen Roach admitted that the current promotion was held back to ensure all were promoted. “A few of the officers made representation and were accepted in fairness,” Roach said.

Roach refused to comment on whether the merit-based system, which is now used, was lowered from 75 percent to 74, to accommodate the bypassed officers. He also denied allegations that some of the officers promoted, had marks lower than 50 percent.

Roach told the corporals to be honest, reliable and give proper advice to the public. Altogether, 470 constables were promoted within the past two months. Two weeks ago, representatives for bypassed constables were barred from entering the Training Room to stop the promotion of 302 constables. The promotion was stalled after High Court Justice Judith Jones granted an ex-parte injunction. However, in another ruling, Justice Jones discharged that injunction against the CoP and the Police Service Commission (PSC).

President of the Second Division Social and Welfare Association Cedric Neptune congratulated the new corporals and said the association will always support the merit system which was in the best interest of the Police Services.