Police Force bids farewell to a courageous officer

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Police Force bids farewell to a courageous officer

…ACP Balram Persaud receives ceremonial sendoff

BY: DEVINA SAMAROO, February 29, 2016 By GuyanaTimes, http://www.guyanatimesgy.com/2...-courageous-officer/

Surrounded by salutes of his siblings of the Force, family members and friends, the body of Assistant Police Commissioner (ACP) Balram Persaud was at last cremated at Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara (WCD) following a ceremonial service at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Sports Complex, Eve Leary, Georgetown.

ACP Balram Persaud’s widow being consoled by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

President David Granger pays last respect to ACP Balram Persaud

In a solemn atmosphere further characterised by strong winds and an overcast sky, family and friends took turns paying tribute to a man whom they all lamented had lost his life too soon.

ACP Balram Persaud’s eldest son, Andre Devon Persaud delivers the eulogy

Tributes
Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud reflected on the ACP’s successful career and his gracious relationship with other members of the GPF; altogether noting that the Force has lost a valuable asset, in an all too tragic manner – as he was approaching retirement.
ACP David Ramnarine also underscored what a diligent and courageous officer his colleague was, as he reflected on several memorable moments they shared.
He pointed out that Persaud was quite a decision-maker.
“Decision making is not easy for other people, especially when you are under challenge. I have seen many people buckle under pressure when it comes to decision making, he was never that type of person,” Ramnarine reminisced.
Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan a friend of the ACP, spoke about a different side of Persaud many did not know.
“He was an extraordinary character… he was a great writer and a philosopher,” Ramjattan disclosed, as he reflected on many of the engaging conversations he shared with his late buddy.
Speaking pointedly to the tearful audience, Ramjattan charged them not to mourn Persaud’s life, but rather, celebrate it as he intensely did whilst he was alive.
Another close friend Ricky Sanasie in his tribute, reflected on his most cherished moments with his “squaddie”.
“He was a good friend and a brother for 30 years. Our families became close friends, we became one family… conversation with Balram was usually a dissection of current issues, and he was never afraid to speak the truth, regardless of the consequences. He loved to be the devil’s advocate and stir up a discussion; always a probing mind… the world has lost a good person, he had a big heart, probably too big for his own,” Sanasie tearfully related.
Persaud’s first son, Andre Devon, also shared a little about his father’s personal life. He recognised that his dad was dedicated to his job, he worked tirelessly to ensure Guyana is safer and better for all Guyanese and that he will always be remembered for his selfless efforts.
Lastly, the ACP’s weeping widow Christine discovered a boost of courage and rose before the crowd to say a few words. She tearfully reflected on her last moments with her beloved husband and thanked everyone for their heartfelt support during her time of sorrow.
Journey to ACP
Persaud was born on 21 July 1961 in Colombia, Essequibo.
He gained his early education at the Anna Regina Multilateral School and the Government Technical Institute where he earned passes at the GCE ‘O’ Level and the Ordinary Technical Diploma in Building and Civil Engineering.
Persaud joined the Force on 5 May, 1984 and was posted to ‘F’ Division following the completion of his initial training. He earned his first promotion to the rank of Cadet Officer in 1986, Assistant Superintendent in 1987, Deputy Superintendent in 1995; Superintendent in 1998; Senior Superintendent in 2002; and Assistant Commissioner in 2008.
He had the opportunity to serve in several areas including the Tactical Services Unit, Special Branch, Department of Development, Force Control and ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ Policing Divisions. He also performed duties as Staff Officer to the then Minister of Home Affairs in 1999.
He was also awarded the Force’s 150th and 175th Anniversary Medals.
On February 23, Persaud succumbed to injuries he sustained in a car accident he was involved in at Schoonord, West Bank Demerara on February 5.

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Former Member

Balram Persaud given military send-off

By Leroy Smith, February 29, 2016, http://guyanachronicle.com/bal...n-military-send-off/

Six Assistant Commissioners escorted the flag-draped casket of the late Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud [Samuel Maughn photo)

Six Assistant Commissioners escorted the flag-draped casket of the late Assistant Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photo)

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Balram Persaud, who died last Tuesday while receiving medical attention for injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this month, was on Sunday given a moving military send-off.The funeral was attended by close family members, including his wife and children; senior and junior members of the Police Force; representatives of the armed forces; President David Granger; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; former President, Donald Ramotar; and other friends and associates.

The former Assistant Commissioner, Administration, who was due to retire in a few months’ time, was hospitalised since February 04, after the car he was driving had slammed into a utility pole.

Viewing of Persaud’s body took place at the Guyana Police Force ground at 08:35hrs, after it arrived in a brown casket carried by a black hearse from the Merriman Funeral Home.

The late Assistant Commissioner of Police (Administration), Mr Balram Persaud

The facility was packed with senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force. Conducting the funeral service was the Force’s Chaplin, who ironically is the person who had conducted the marriage ceremony when Persaud had married his now widow; had baptised Persaud, and had also offered Persaud’s two youngest children up to the Lord a few years ago.

It came as a surprise to many in the gathering when the pastor mentioned that he had baptised Persaud, as they could be heard saying “What?”

SINCE CHILDHOOD
In his remarks at the funeral service, Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud spoke of knowing Balram Persaud since childhood days, as they had attended the same primary school and later the same high school.

It would be several years later when they again met each other during their earlier days in the Guyana Police Force.

The Top Cop remarked that the now dead officer would always deal with concerns in a professional manner, and even in times of great distress, Balram Persaud would find something funny to say in an effort to ease the tension.

The Commissioner of Police remembered Balram Persaud as a good man, whose soul he wished would rest in peace, as he proclaimed that Persaud would be remembered for a long time.

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine, who now holds the portfolio that Persaud held up to the time of his death, explained that Balram Persaud chose to be a police officer.

ALWAYS HELPFUL
He remarked that during his first days, weeks and months in the Guyana Police Force, there were lots of things he did not know, and it was Balram Persaud who had taught him many of the things he knows today.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan noted that it was an extremely sad occasion. He reminisced on when he was first sworn in as Minister of Public Security, saying that Balram Persaud, who was once his client, called him and asked, “Bro, you know what you go to do?”

He said Persaud was one of the persons within the organisation who were willing to share information with him, while there are those who exhibited a reluctance to do so.

The Minister said Persaud would often tell him that he was soon going, in reference to his pending retirement.

Ramjattan said Balram Persaud was the kind of person who would not have wanted persons to mourn his death, but rather celebrate his life. He, too, hailed Balram Persaud as a good man.

Meanwhile, widow of the former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Cantina Persaud, said she was very grateful for the support that she, her children and the rest of Persaud’s family had received from the Commissioner of Police and his staff during this difficult time.

After the ceremony at the Police Sports Club ground, six Assistant Commissioners of Police — Clifton Hicken, Christopher Griffith, Paul Williams, Leslie James, Nigel Hoppie and Dale Alves — assisted by David Ramnarine, bore the casket of their fallen colleague to the hearse, as several senior police officers lined their path.

The procession then made its way to the East Bank carriageway and crossed the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the final journey to the cremation site at Rumzeight.
At the site, several persons gathered to get a glimpse of the remains of the late senior police officer. Among them were former President Donald Ramotar and former senior police officers such as Neil Semple, Leroy Brumell and George Vyphuis.

2/29/162:39 PM

Former Member

President David Granger meets the eldest son of Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photo)

2/29/162:40 PM

Former Member

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Balram Persaud, being cremated (Samuel Maughn photo)

2/29/162:41 PM

Former Member

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud salutes a fallen colleague, Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photo)

2/29/162:42 PM

Former Member

Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine presents a flag of the Guyana Police Force to the wife and youngest son of ACP Balram Persaud (Samuel Maughn photo)

2/29/162:42 PM