Top Cop was not prepare to execute Crime Chief’s suspension order himself

While it is widely speculated that it might have been a political decision to suspend Deputy Crime Chief Lyndon Alves, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan this evening cleared both President David Granger and himself from the decision while admitting that an investigation is ongoing and Alves is off the job to facilitate same.Crime Chief suspended, another senior officer to follow suit

“As far as I know it is his figure head who has to suspend him, I did not suspend him and I am not aware that the president suspended him or instructed me to instruct anyone. My commissioner will get instruction from no one” Ramjattan firmly stated.

The Minister said that it was the Commissioner who informed him that Alves would be sent on leave, but that he was not sure if the decision was going to be executed by the Commissioner of Police himself or the person who was going to be acting in his capacity while he was gone.

“The commissioner who I think is in Jamaica or so, told me that the Crime Chief would be suspended, if it is the Commissioner of Police or the Commissioner of Police acting who would send him off was not communicated to me” the Security Minister explained.

It is now being suggested that Commissioner of Police Leslie James decided on the suspension of Alves and communicated it to Minister Ramjattan but did not clarify if it would be him, James who would execute the directive or if he would have Hoppie do so while holding the fort.

This became clear after Hoppie on Tuesday when asked about the suspension of Alves boldly stated that the Crime Chief was not on suspension and that the reports were inaccurate as Alves had moments before reported to him.

“No, no, man the Crime Chief is not suspended, I just spoke with Crime Chief and he is on active duty and still a member of the force” Hoppie told BIG Smith Crime Watch just before heading into a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday morning.

When contacted this evening his response was as follows.

“I will say to you that Mr. Lyndon Alves has been sent on leave to facilitate an investigation” Hoppie told BIG Smith Crime Watch.

It appears that after coming to his decision to suspend Alves and informing the Public Security Minister, Leslie James did not execute the suspension himself nor did he inform Hoppie of his decision, It was until he, Leslie James left the country, that Nigel Hoppie became aware that a decision was made for Alves to be sent off the job and that the decision would have to be executed by Hoppie since he is presently performing the duties of Top Cop.

A series of reports have been carried in section of the press about a number of alleged corrupt practices within the Guyana Police ‘B’ Division which linked the cases to a senior office who it is not clear, was the Crime Chief.