Hinds reveals 34 officers promoted after glitch debacle

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The Police Service (TTPS) promoted 34 officers from constables to corporals after a system glitch wrongfully promoted 29 others. However, Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds has stated that rescinding these erroneous promotions is not a simple matter.

Responding to questions from the Opposition in the Senate yesterday, Hinds explained that reversing promotions involves complex legal issues. He emphasised that the State cannot arbitrarily revoke a grant or benefit once given to someone.

In an internal memo dated December 6, 2023, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher apologised to officers, describing the situation as an “anomaly” in the promotions process. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ramnarine Samaroo told Guardian Media in January that the TTPS was seeking legal advice on how to address the issue of the erroneously promoted officers. Samaroo said he immediately launched an investigation upon learning of the mistake, which was traced to a non-manual error.

As a consequence, 93 police officers wrote to the Police Service Commission (PolSC), requesting action against Commissioner Harewood-Christopher for her handling of the promotion process for over 883 officers. Two weeks later, 122 officers threatened legal action against her. However, the TTPS proceeded with the promotion of 34 officers shortly after.

Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Wade Mark, asked Hinds what actions would be taken to address the erroneous promotions. Hinds responded that it is more a matter of what has already been done.

“It is not a simple matter to rescind promotions in the TTPS or, for that matter, anywhere else, as there are complex legal issues involved. In short, once a benefit is granted to someone, it cannot be whimsically taken away. The principles of natural justice, as embodied in the law of judicial review, are highly relevant,” Hinds said.

Hinds added that Commissioner Harewood-Christopher had given him an oral report and confirmed that legal proceedings are ongoing regarding the 29 officers who were promoted due to the glitch. He also confirmed that the TTPS had promoted 34 officers.

Hinds expressed satisfaction with how the TTPS handled the situation.

“For the 34 officers who were not promoted due to the glitch, the matter was easier to resolve as they were denied a benefit to which they were lawfully entitled. As such, the TTPS promoted these officers and paid them all their due entitlements and benefits,” he said.

Mark then questioned Hinds on whether, after reviewing the report, he saw a need to strengthen the professional staff supporting the Commissioner in order to prevent such issues from recurring. Hinds, however, clarified that the error was a result of a technical, computer-related glitch rather than human oversight.