There appears to be political interference in the failure of the State to promote a number of middle-ranked police officers within the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).
Both the Commissioner of Police, Winston James and the Public Service Commission (PSC) appear to be shifting the responsibility away from each other for the failure to promote several officers who did exceptionally well in interviews conducted for promotion to higher ranks.
A group of seven officers have taken COP James and PSC to court in an effort to seeking judicial review of the decision to exclude them from the promotion on the basis that the decision was unfair, irrational and inconsistent with the criteria laid down for promotion within the force.
In the defense filed by Commissioner James, he said that as part of the process to fill vacancies within the senior ranks, recommendations are made by him and forwarded to the Office of the Prime Minister.
The documents are sent directly to the Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office for preparation of a submission to the PSC which, in turn, "makes a decision on which officer is promoted to the senior ranks."
A copy of James' affidavit which was obtained by GRENADA TODAY indicated that the island's chief cop sent his list to PS Elizabeth Greenidge-Henry.
"Along with the list, I sent copies of all the information relating to each eligible officer, including those who were interviewed. This information included the individual data report and interview assessment report. Grades for those who submitted themselves to the interview process were also forwarded (to the permanent secretary)," he said.
This newspaper was also able to obtain a copy of an affidavit from the PSC's Chief Personnel Officer, Marilyn Austin-Cadore on the matter before the court.
In the document, Austin-Cadore indicated that the commission did interact with the Office of the Prime Minister on the appointments.
"The Commission decided to seek further information from the Permanent Secretary (in the Prime Minister's Office) to enable it to reach a decision," the affidavit said.
She said that the PSC also made of enquiry of the Permanent Secretary on whether the interview reports submitted of the police officers earmarked for promotion reflected the overall performance of the officers.
Following this, a list of all the police officers interviewed together with their grades were then submitted by the Permanent Secretary to the commission for its consideration.
The affidavit filed by Austin-Cadore indicated that from among the requests received from the Permanent Secretary was one for the termination of an acting appointment of a senior officer.
"The Commission again considered the matter regarding promotion to fill senior ranks within the police force including all the further documentation it received.
"The Commission invited Commissioner James to a meeting and he was asked to share with the Commission on the rationale adopted for the recommendations made to the Commission.
"The decision of the Commission regarding promotions was then communicated to the Permanent Secretary within the Office of the Prime Minister.
"The Commission therefore denies that it abdicated its role to the Commissioner of Police, or that it acted without regard to principles of fairness, comparability, transparency, parity and equality".
Police insiders have confided in GRENADA TODAY that several officers believe that they were overlooked for promotion on allegations that they are perceived to be supporters of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Two former police officers, Commissioner Fitzroy Bedeau and ex-Sergeant, Carl Caton are currently in line to become candidates for the ruling New National Party (NNP) government in the upcoming national poll.
The hierarchy of the RGPF have often been accused of basing the promotions on political patronage.
