High court judge grants injunction to block recruitment of new CoP

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A High Court Judge has granted an injunction temporarily blocking the Police Service Commission (PSC) from completing its recruitment of the next Police Commissioner.

Delivering an oral decision, a short while ago, High Court Judge Nadia Kangaloo granted the injunction sought by former head of the Police Social and Welfare Association acting Senior Supt Anand Ramesar.

The injunction will stay in place until October 24, when High Court Judge Joan Charles, who has been assigned to preside over Ramesar’s substantive lawsuit, is expected to host a hearing of the case.

At that time, Justice Charles would decide whether to discharge the injunction or extend it pending her final determination of the case.

Guardian Media understands that Ramesar sought the injunction after Justice Charles granted leave to pursue his judicial review lawsuit against the PSC over its handling of the recruitment process, last month, and the PSC elected to continue its work.

The substantive lawsuit reportedly stems from the PSC’s decision not to select him to join other candidates in the interview stage of the recruitment process.

Under the Constitution, the PSC, which is currently chaired by Bliss Seepersad, is mandated to oversee the recruitment process for the Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs).

Once the PSC creates a short-list of successful candidates, it forwards it to the Office of the President.

The top candidate then has to be approved by Parliament before being allowed to take up the post.

In June, constitutional amendments were brought to reportedly streamline the process with the requirements for a recruitment firm to be hired to short-list candidates and international advertisement of vacancies being removed.

Acting Police Commissioner Gary Griffith’s three-year stint in the post ended on August 17 and he was given an acting appointment pending the completion of the process. Griffith is currently on vacation leave with Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) McDonald Jacob acting as Police Commissioner.

Ramesar was represented by Richard Clarke-Wills, Kiel Taklalsingh, and Chelsea John. The PSC was represented by Russell Martineau, SC.

Reporter: Derek Achong

CNC3 Editor
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