Newly appointed acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken has began his task even as a legal challenge looms over his appointment. Hicken today met with Minister of Home Affairs Roberson Benn at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Brickdam.
In a Facebook post by the Minister he stated that the meeting discussed the new strategic plan for the Guyana Police Force. Hicken today officially took over the reigns of the Guyana Police Force after acting Commissioner of Police Nigel Hoppie proceeded on pre retirement leave.
The People’s National Congress Reform in a statement on the matter said the move to appoint Hicken was illegal and would be challenged in court. The PNC/R, reminded the government of Article 211 (1) of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana which states that ‘‘the Commissioner of Police and every Deputy Commissioner of Police shall be appointed by the President acting after meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission, after the Chairperson has consulted with the other members of the Commission’’
In the temporary absence of a Leader of the Opposition and the Police Service Commission, any appointment of Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioners of Police is plainly unconstitutional.
The party also wishes to remind the government that the Public Service Rules clearly state that acting appointments must go to the most senior officer and based on the current structure and line of statutory succession, Deputy Police Commissioner Paul Williams remains the next in line.
The party noted that Mr. Clifton Hicken is an Assistant Commissioner and therefore, is junior in rank to Mr. Williams.
To promote Mr. Hicken to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police or to have him act in the office is a blatant violation of the Constitution and will be challenged in a court of law. We hereby use this development to again call on the government to desist from the wanton
politicization of the GPF.
Further, we demand of the government to rescind this appointment and allow for a process of full transparency, legality and meritocracy within the Guyana Police Force.
