GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC -The Guyana authorities says it’s not “shocked” that Opposition Chief Aubrey Norton criticized the appointment of Clifton Hicken as Police Commissioner.
In a press release, the Authorities mentioned that Hicken was essentially the most senior member of the Guyana Police Drive upon the retirement of David Ramnarine “however was intentionally and capriciously sidelined by the A Partnership for Nationwide Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Authorities, which appointed two members of the Drive to behave within the Workplace of the Commissioner of Police successively, each of whom had been junior to Hicken.
“Thus far, Mr. Hicken stays essentially the most senior member of the Guyana Police Drive and, little doubt, is duly certified to have been appointed Commissioner of Police,” the Authorities mentioned.
Hicken took the oath of workplace earlier than Current Irfan Ali on Thursday, and Norton mentioned he’s difficult the appointment of the brand new head of the police service. The present head has been appearing within the place for the previous two years and has already handed the retirement age.
Norton mentioned he believes the appointment is unlawful on a number of grounds.
“I’ve spoken to the attorneys…and we’re going to take authorized motion on this one as a result of I don’t think about myself to have been consulted, after which the regulation mentioned I ought to be consulted.
“When he wrote to me, I made it very clear that an investigation is required, not the appointment of individuals of questionable character. So to me, the President is once more concerned in one other illegal act,” the Opposition Chief mentioned.
Norton mentioned Hicken mustn’t have been promoted and confirmed within the place after retirement, even when his appearing appointment was prolonged.
He mentioned that the choice to nominate Hicken signifies that the Authorities is “complicit within the corruption as a result of there are folks, there are severe allegations in opposition to them, and you might be confirming them. What you might be doing and saying to the folks of Guyana is that you’re comfy with corruption within the Guyana Police Drive.
“Additionally, some within the management of the Police Drive is manifestly incompetent, and to nominate him after which to go on as if they’re competent can be a sign that the Authorities wants incompetent and compromised folks which they will maintain over them to realize their goal.
“We’ve lengthy mentioned that the Police Drive has been politicizing, and that is once more a manifestation of the politicization of the Guyana Police Drive,” Norton mentioned.
However the Authorities had brushed apart Norton’s considerations, recalling that when in workplace, the coalition authorities had a “monitor document of constitutional violations” and that it had no “ethical authority to lecture anybody on constitutionality and the rule of regulation, specifically, because it pertains to the appointment of Commissioner of Police.”
The ruling Folks’s Progressive Social gathering-Civic (PPP-C) says the final appointment made by the earlier Authorities to the Workplace of Commissioner was made on July 31, 2020, “the final day of their demission of Workplace and 5 months after they misplaced the March 2” 2020 Common and Regional Elections.
“Worse but, the appointment was made not by the President however by the Everlasting Secretary of the then Ministry of Public Safety. Paradoxically, ‘no session’ is Mr. Norton’s cry now, however when that appointment was made, the then Chief of the Opposition was not even knowledgeable or consulted.
“For the general public document, the Authorities maintains most resolutely that Mr. Clifton Hicken was lawfully appointed by the provisions of Article 211 of the Structure of Guyana and in due compliance with the Structure (Prescribed Issues) Act,” the Authorities added.
It mentioned Norton “is free to take no matter authorized recourse he deems mandatory. It’s applicable that the Authorities reminds us that it’s not the primary time Mr. Norton shall be difficult Mr. Hicken’s appointment.
“When Mr. Hicken was appointed to behave within the Workplace of the Fee of Police, Mr. Norton challenged that appearing appointment on the bottom that the President didn’t seek the advice of with the Chief of the Opposition. The Excessive Courtroom dismissed Mr. Norton’s authorized problem, however he selected to not attraction that dismissal. For sure, any authorized problem filed shall be vigorously defended,” the Authorities added.
