Nat’l Security backs merit-based promotions

In a release issued to the media yesterday, the ministry indicated that career opportunities ought to be based on a person’s capabilities and accomplishments rather than soley on the number of years that person has worked in the organisation.

The ministry release said it fully endorsed the creation of a merit-based system for advancement within the Police Service, saying four modern management practices are used in addressing promotions in “forward-looking” organisations.

These practices include:

- Not using seniority to distribute career opportunities which is easy to manage, because while seniority is easy to measure it is even less efficient and more organisationally debilitating than using personal relationship networks.

- When longevity is the criterion for reward, the performers who eventually receive the rewards are those who stay out of trouble and take few chances.

- When organisations give leadership roles to such people, there is little chance for organisational change.

- If an organisation wishes to stimulate initiative, innovation, and creativity, using seniority as the principal criterion for career advancement is possibly the worst strategy.

The ministry release further stated it was totally against seniority-based promotions in the Police Service because of these and other related issues. The release comes amidst a backdrop of discontent and threats of legal action from dozens of police officers who claim they have received letters stating they were being bypassed for promotions.

The officers have since sought legal advice in the drafting of a lawsuit which they say they intend to bring against the TT Police Service and the Commissioner of Police, over the delay in promotions.

One of the major grouses of these officers is their claim that officers who are their juniors in terms of length of service and experience, are moving forward within the TT Police Service and they (the by passed officers) may face the embarrassing scenario of having to take instructions from these ‘junior’ officers.