President Irfaan Ali has confirmed that he has extended the Acting Police Commissioner’s time in office beyond his retirement.

“I have already issued a letter extending the services of the Commissioner of Police to a date to be determined,” President Ali said.

The President made the announcement while speaking to reporters this morning.

Acting Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken recently reached the age of retirement as he turned 55-years-old in July. However, the presidential extension will allow him more time to execute his mandate as Head of the Guyana Police Force.

Hicken has been acting in the position since March 2022. He took control of the Force following the retirement of Deputy Commissioner Nigel Hoppie who was also acting in the Top Cop position.

The Constitution of Guyana mandates the President to have meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Opposition and the Chairperson of the Police Service Commission before he could appoint a Commissioner of Police or Deputy Commissioners.

Now that the Police Service Commission is fully constituted with the recent appointment of the Public Service Commission, it is expected that President Ali will take the required steps, as outlined in the Constitution, to appoint a substantive Commissioner of Police.

Though it is unclear when President intends to initiate consultation with the Head of the Police Service Commission and the Leader of the Opposition, he has committed to doing so. 

The Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, has already indicated that he will not be supporting any substantive appointment of Clifton Hicken as Police Commissioner.

Related posts:

Hicken likely to stay on as Acting Police Commissioner past retirement age President’s appointment of Clifton Hicken as Acting Police Commissioner legal -CJ rules President now wants to consult with Opposition Leader on appointing Hicken as Acting Top Cop Attorney General defends President’s appointment of Hicken as Acting Top Cop as act of necessity