Minister of Governance Gail Teixeira has written to Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton inviting him to consultations with the President on the appointment of an Acting Police Commissioner.

The invitation to consult comes three months since the President moved ahead on his own and appointed Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken to act as the Police Commissioner with no consultation taking place.

The Opposition has moved to the Court challenging that appointment. Minister Teixeira in her letter to the Opposition Leader explained that the President’s unilateral appointment of Mr. Hicken as Acting Police Commissioner was done at a time when there was no Police Service Commission and no Opposition Leader in place.

She said the President considered it his Constitutional duty to appoint Mr. Hicken to act in the Office of the Police Commissioner rather than leave a vacuum in the command and superintendence of the Police Force.

The Governance Minister indicated that the President is now ready to begin consultations on the appointment of an Acting Police Commissioner and the President has nominated the same Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken to act in the post.

The Opposition Leader has been asked to respond to the invitation by next Monday.

The Opposition Leader had previously stated that he is not supportive of Hicken serving in the position of Acting Police Commissioner, noting that there is a substantive Deputy Police Commissioner in place who should be elevated to the Acting Police Commissioner position in keeping with seniority.

One month ago, Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, moved to the High Court to scrap the appointment of Mr. Clifton Hicken as acting Police Commissioner while seeking an order to render all actions taken by Mr. Hicken as acting Top Cop, to be null and void.

Related posts:

Home Affairs Minister asks Court to dismiss challenge to Hicken’s appointment as Acting Top Cop Opposition moves to the High Court to challenge appointment of Hicken as Acting Top Cop Norton maintains appointment of Hicken as Acting Police Commissioner is illegal Attorney General defends President’s appointment of Hicken as Acting Top Cop as act of necessity