President instructs Top Cop to put all transfers on hold

Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud has been instructed by President David Granger to immediately put on hold all transfers of Police commanders and senior police officers.

The Police Commissioner on Monday started to transfer a number of senior police officers to different positions in different divisions.

The government only appointed Assistant Police Commissioner Brian Joseph as the new Head of the Presidential Guard service and was apparently caught off guard when media reports surfaced of other transfers including that of the Crime Chief, Leslie James.

President Granger’s order to the Commissioner means that James will continue on as Crime Chief and Senior Superintendent Wendell Blanhum will remain as his Deputy.

It remains unclear why the step was taken to immediately halt the transfers.

There are reports that the move may have been taken to allow the new Home Affairs Minister to settle into his office after being appointed, although the Minister would not have to give approval for any transfers.

But there are also reports that the hold to the transfers may be to allow the Crime Chief Leslie James to complete a number of high profile investigations that he may already be seeking legal advice for, from the Director of Public Prosecutions.