New top cop likely soon
The Guyana Police Force is expected to have a new commissioner before the end of next month. Sources say Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis has indicated to the government that he is likely to demit office at the end of June and the new commissioner is expected to be Deputy Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald. McDonald was sworn in publicly for the first time last week as Police Commissioner (ag) even though he has stood in for Police Commissioner Lewis, on two previous occasions. Present at the ceremony were all the other deputy and assistant commissioners as well as the divisional commanders. The media were also invited to the ceremony. Lewis left last week to attend the annual general meeting of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) and following the meeting will be proceeding to the US on leave. Government spokesmen have deflected queries about the significance of McDonald's public swearing-in. President Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters after the ceremony that it seemed the right thing to do. Other spokesmen have tried to explain that the swearing-in would allow McDonald to enjoy all the benefits of the post which he would be occupying for more than twenty-one days. However, one observer sees the move as a signal that the force can function effectively in Lewis' absence. Lewis' tenure in the top Police post was extended past the official retirement age of 55 three years ago and the regulations provide that during this extension the government can terminate it at any time. They noted too the recent signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the United Kingdom which would initiate a one hundred and forty thousand pounds sterling project to provide training as well as review the structure and the organisation of the Force. Lewis was appointed to the top position in the police force in 1990. There has been criticism of Lewis for the force's inability to solve a number of high profile crimes including the murder of Monica Reece and over extra-judicial killings by the police. There have been comments too that Lewis' continued tenure has frustrated a number of top officers with the consequence that a number of those who would have been in contention for the top post have already decided to opt for early retirement next year. Among these officers are a deputy commissioner and an assistant commissioner.
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