CoP taking orders from Ramjattan; Law requires he takes orders from president during this period

Commissioner of Police Leslie James in conversation with Khemraj Ramjattan

Khemraj Ramjattan who served as the Minister of Public Security in the last government this evening confirmed that he is still receiving reports from Commissioner of Police Leslie James and that he, Ramjattan is still issuing instructions to the Top Cop.

“I am still the Minister in Charge” Ramjattan stated as he confirmed that he did instruct James to use minimum force against protesters at Lusignan on the East Coast Demerara.

According to the constitution, in the absence of a cabinet (as in this case as parliament) the Top Cop should be reporting to and taking instructions from the Commander in Chief who is the president until such time that another appointment is made.

This evening Ramjattan confirmed that he was briefed by the Commissioner of Police with respect to the injury of a member of the Guyana Police Force in West Berbice as the ranks attempted to disburse a crowd of protesters.

“I am trying to get the roads to be cleared, I spoke to the Commissioner and we are trying to get the roads to be cleared in the Bath Settlement area and I am trying to get some good neighbors to help in the process,” Ramjattan told BIG Smith News Watch.

Since earlier on Friday there have been several large protests across several parts of the country where supporters of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic have been reacting to the results of the just-concluded National and Regional Elections.

The protesters have been burning tyres and other objects on the roadway, hurling missiles at the police and passers-by including children in a school bus and have been damaging property in the process.

Ramjattan said that the Commissioner of Police is the authority to deal with law and order but of course he has to report to be Ramjattan said before correcting himself to say “I can tell him that I want minimum force to be used by the police”

Upon the announcement of date for elections, the seats in the National Assembly becomes vacant until the elections are complete and a new cabinet is sworn in by the president.

The Guyana police force has been extremely quiet since the elections and has not issued any public statements on a number of public order issues and or the assault on its ranks in West Berbice by the protesters.