(Commissioner James)
Commissioner of Police, Winston James has denied reports circulating within the ranks that he is making moves to promote an Inspector of Police who has pleaded guilty to a fraud-related crime brought against him in the high court.
Spokesman for the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF), Troy Garvey said that the island's chief cop has categorically denied submitting documents to the Public Service Commission (PSC) requesting that Inspector Wayne Wilson be promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
Garvey told GRENADA TODAY that the only correspondence between Commissioner James and PSC related to a letter he sent them advising about the status of Wilson in light of his guilty plea in court.
He said it was the commission that is responsible for officers up and above the rank of Inspector and not Commissioner James.
"The Commissioner cannot dismiss any Officer from the rank of Inspector and upwards. What he (James) merely did was to write the Commission, advising them of the status of Inspector Wilson", he remarked.
According to Garvey, the matter of whether Insp. Wilson would be removed from the force in light of his court conviction lies squarely in the hands of the Commission and not the police force.
Insp. Wilson was charged in connection with a financial scandal that rocked the police force.
He is currently on suspension from active police duty and is receiving half monthly salary.
Under PSC rules, civil servants are automatically relieved of their posts following conviction in court on criminal offences.
Garvey also commented on the status of Corporal Frederick "Balla" Noel, the former bodyguard for Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell who was convicted last year for shooting a civilian two years ago in a lover's quarrel.
He said that Noel has appealed the $5000.00 conviction and is currently receiving his half monthly salary as a member of the force.
The police officer has often been seen driving a mini bus between St. George's and St. Andrew's.
Checks made with the Supreme Court Registry confirmed that Cpl. Noel had indeed served notice of his intention to appeal but the relevant notes of evidence have not been sent among the court documents.
