By Sue-Ann Wayow
TO make better judgements in its selection of Acting Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Police, the Police Service Commission (PolSC) has updated its policy on the Order-of-Merit List.
In a media release on Wednesday, the Commission stated that it has developed an “Establishment and Utilization of Order-of-Merit List Policy.”
Legal Notice 277 of 2021, as amended by Legal Notice 278 of 2021, provides that the Commission shall establish and maintain an Order-of-Merit List for acting appointments and requires that all eligible officers be placed on the list ranked by merit.
“The Order-of-Merit List shall include officers holding or acting in the office of Assistant and Deputy Commissioner of Police and possess the qualifications and experience required for appointment to the offices of Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police,” the Commission stated.
The release stated, “This policy provides a structured approach to manage the assessment of merit when acting appointments are required. It will allow for consistency in interpretation, application and facilitate sound decision-making on acting appointments.”
The policy was approved on June 2, 2023.
To be selected as an Acting CoP or Deputy CoP, one must possess a Master’s Degree and for CoP, at least 15 years experience and for deputy CoP, at least 10 years experience.
The objective of the policy is to set out an objective, transparent and standardized methodology to be followed by the Commission in establishing Order-of-Merit Lists for the appointment of persons to act in those offices and ensure that the most suitably qualified, experienced and competent persons are appointed to act in the offices, the policy states.
To view the policy persons can visit https://www.scd.org.tt/
