Top jobs going to friends

They are claiming that those persons in the hierarchy in the elite agency are offering top positions to friends and have been overlooking existing staff who are being forced to be re-assessed in their current positions.

The SSA officers said that while they have to undergo several tests and are being asked for certain qualifications several outsiders have now begun to be employed as intelligence officers while they are being bypassed and in some instances they have been asked to take pay cuts.

Officers said that the SSA led by Retired Colonel George Robinson are not giving existing employees any chance of moving up in the Organisation.

Newsday understands that a Human Resources Agency named PROFILES was contracted to manage the entire re-evaluation of staff.

Firstly, a psychometric evaluation, a written examination, a polygraph, then an interview before a panel and finally a medical examination were required.

According to SSA sources staff of PROFILES were always late, did not have the necessary stationery or manpower to properly conduct assessments.

Staff questioned whether there was a tendering process for the selection of PROFILES and “if any other companies were bypassed because of alleged favours”.

According to sources, not all staff have gone through the full re-evaluation process. “People from outside of these organisations have already completed all the phases and have been employed with contract in hand to lucrative positions”.

Yesterday some of the SSA employees said that there is a situation where some of their colleagues who have international training have been told that they are not qualified to do the said jobs, while reassessment of existing jobs which require a Bachelor’s Degree to a pay grade less than a job that requires 5 O’Level CXC/CSE C/GCE subject and a minimum of five to seven year’s experience in crime and security.

“It seems very questionable to hire outside when staff with long and dedicated service are being overlooked”. “Did the CSO approve these positions or is this the avenue to give the boys high paying jobs for loyalty? questioned SSA officers yesterday.

Newsday was also told that the executive of the SSA is littered with Colonels, Majors and most of the former SIA hierarchy.

Officers are calling for the resignation of Colonel Robinson and his team which includes Colonel Bridgewater (Asst Director), Major Best Asst Director, Major Roger McClean (Asst Director) Dr Lenore Winchester (Asst Director), Ms Denise Farray (Manager Counter Intelligence), Mr Clint Eligon Special Adviser.