Scores of First Division police officers who failed their promotions examination have turned to sacked Police Service Commission chairman Nizam Mohammed for help.This was revealed by Police Social and Welfare Association President Anand Ramesar who also confirmed that the association has mounted a separate challenge on behalf of the failed officers. The officers are seeking promotion from Assistant Superintendent of Police to Superintendent, Senior Superintendent and acting Commissioner of Police.
The examination was set by the Penn State University and the officers received verbal confirmation of their results on Wednesday. Many of the seniors offices are unhappy that they will not be promoted. They are insisting that they should be promoted based on their long and outstanding records of service and performance.Reached by telephone, Mohammed, who said he was fishing with his grandchildren in La Romaine, confirmed that a number of officers had spoken to him about legal representation.
"I am waiting until they get something official, to see if any representation ought to be made on their behalf," he said.He said he would hold talks with the officers who were all puzzled about some changes in the system which were instituted without prior notice."So we are looking at that. Something (a meeting) will be arranged once they get something official," he assured.Ramesar said based on the assessment, officers had to make more than 65 per cent to be considered for promotion to the next rank. He said some officers made between 50 and under 65 per cent.
"We are not satisfied that dividing mark should be applied. We are looking at what would have happened historically when officers with marks less than 65 were promoted. The precedent must he followed," he insisted."The association is going to launch a challenge because we are saying that officers who would have scored beyond 50 marks satisfy the criteria internationally and they must be considered for promotion."
He said there was no consultation with the association with respect to the dividing mark, which he said was flawed in procedure."The association stands as the representative body and any procedure should have included consultation with us. We are going to challenge it from that position as well," he said.Ramesar said the association's secretary Michael Seales had already sent letters to Commissioner of Police Dwayne Gibbs and newly-elected PSC chairman Dr Ramesh Deosaran on the matter.
"We are seeking to have that position reviewed and also to have officers included for consideration for promotion. The commissioner has that authority," he said.Ramesar explained that the officers were tested on several books sent by the university for them to study. He said they were allowed ten weeks preparation, whereas in the past, the time allotted was three months. He said this was prejudicial to the officers.He added that while some officers were able to take leave to study, "not every officer was in a position to disengage himself from regular duties to take leave."