Several police officers who took their Commissioner to court over their failure to get promotion last year are claiming victory following the latest development in the Rolda Bridgeman case.
Attorney-at-law, Dr. Francis Alexis announced last week Tuesday that he has decided to discontinue legal proceedings on behalf of Inspector Bridgeman who took legal action against Commissioner Winston James after she was overlooked for appointment to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.
His statement came on the heels of a letter sent to Bridgeman by the Public Service Commission (PSC) that with effect from May 1 she would be promoted to an ASP in the Royal Grenada Police force (RGPF).
Dr. Alexis told reporters at a press conference that
the newlook commission, headed by Cecile De La Grenade had promoted the female police officer to the post.
The letter was despatched a few days before the high court was due to meet to hear arguments on an application brought by the officer.
Dr. Alexis described as "a legal landmark" the decision in light of challenge she launched in court last August against the failure to promote her by Commissioner James.
He said the officer felt that the PSC, which is the body charged by the constitution of Grenada with making appointments to ASP could not justify by-passing her last july, when promoting seven of her colleagues to act as ASP if the commission then led by former high court judge, Justice Monica Joseph had objectively applied promotion criteria spelt out in PSC Regulations.
These criteria, he said features seniority and experience, merit ability and efficiency, performance evaluation and superiors' commendations.
In the preliminary application to the Court, Dr Alexis contended that the prescribed promotion criteria demanded comparability and equality, in the interests of fairness and justice adding that what the then PSC did to Insp. Bridgeman was grossly unfair and patently unjust.
He disclosed that high court judge, Justice Francis Cumberbatch, had granted the police officer permission to make her main application for redress on Judicial review of the PSC decision refusing her promotion.
The former Attorney-General claimed that the Grenadian authorities had consulted two overseas Queen's Counsel on the issue and that the PSC itself had failed to file skeleton arguments in the case by January 07 as ordered by the Court.
Alexis said that the Bridgeman issue emphasizes the fact that promotion in the public service must not be arbitrary or based on irrelevant considerations such as political patronage; but rather must be objectively fair and reflecting criteria prescribed by law.
He felt that Insp. Bridgeman should be greatly admired for her steadfast pioneering courage and her exemplary professional deportment throughout her challenge to the non-promotion by the previous commission.
A number of Police Officers who took Commissioner James to court on their failure to get promotion after excelling in the exams are quietly hoping to benefit similar to Insp. Bridgeman.
