By Prior Beharry
THERE are conflicting information concerning the delivery date of the Merit List for Commissioner of Police to the Office of the President (OTP).
President Paula-Mae Weekes, in a statement in an advertisement in last Sunday newspapers, said that the merit list from the Police Service Commission (PolSC) was delivered to her office on August 11, 2021 and withdrawn that same day. Therefore, there is no merit list that the President has to send to Parliament for affirmative resolution for a police commissioner to be appointed, according to her statement.
But, in the affidavit of acting Deputy Director of Personnel Administration Helen Warner it was stated that the PolSC withheld the Merit List to the President after attempting to do so because of security concerns.
Warner’s affidavit was filed in the judicial review matter where acting Senior Superintendent of Police Anand Ramesar is challenging his name not being on the merit list.
And acting Director of Personnel Administration Core Harrison in his sworn affidavit said a list of nominees for Police Commissioner was sent to the President on August 12, 2021.
Harrison’s affidavit was in the interpretation summons matter in which Ravi Balgobin Maharaj filed against the PolSC. Justice Nadia Kangaloo ruled on this case last week.
The affidavits of Warner and Harrison, in different matters, were filed on the same day – September 27, 2021.
Attorneys filing the documents were Nesia Simmons and Kezia Redhead for Harrison, while Michelle Benjamin and Anissa Ali filed for Warner.
All four attorneys work in the Chief State Solicitor’s Department, AZPNews.com was told.
