'Hold me accountable'
Felix sworn in as police chief

"Hold me accountable" were the first words of newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix just after taking the oath of office yesterday.

Felix's appointment, delayed because of the absence of the Public and Police Service Commissions, comes at a time when the force's image continues to be tarnished.

In a very short response after he was handed the instrument of office by President, Bharrat Jagdeo, Felix said, "I have just taken the oath of office according to the constitution of Guyana, Hold me accountable."

The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Office of President while PNCR leader, Robert Corbin, who did not attend the ceremony led a protest outside calling for the resignation of Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj in face of the allegations made against him.

After the ceremony, Felix told reporters his first priority would be to consult all stakeholders including the government, the private sector and religious groups.

He also intends to improve the image of the Guyana Police Force so that the police could attain greater public confidence when discharging their duties.

Felix declined to comment on the discussions he had with former acting commissioner Floyd McDonald as part of the hand over.

With respect to the allegations made against the force that people with criminal records were granted firearm licences, Felix said as deputy commissioner of police he had no knowledge of that. "I did not know at the time when the firearm licences were allegedly issued. I had no knowledge."

He contended that it was too early for him to be making certain statements.

Asked whether he would initiate an investigation with respect to allegations made against Gajraj that he was involved in a death squad, Felix said he was now holding a constitutional office and as such he had to wait on a report in order to proceed in such a matter.

He said the force had no formal report about the allegations.

Felix said as deputy commissioner he had some information with regard to some of the allegations but he could not say whether it was accurate. "I cannot investigate something which was not passed to me. People can make any allegations but it does not mean that we have to run after that person."

With respect to the investigative capabilities of the force, he conceded that while investigations had been a problem, many of the unsolved crimes could be reduced if the force consistently improved its work, which included producing better quality investigations, training and also gaining overall public support and confidence.

President Jagdeo pledged his government's support adding that it had confidence in Felix's ability to lead the force.

He also thanked McDonald for the decades of service.

He remarked that it was unfortunate that Felix and several other senior police ranks had had to wait so long to be promoted.

He said now that the respective commissions were in place he expected that those due to be promoted would be appointed.

At age 52, Felix, a married father of two, holds a degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana. He joined the force in 1970.

The new commissioner served on the East Coast, was police training officer at one time and also Head of the Presidential Guard between the years 1991-1992.

He moved to the Criminal Investigations Department in 1992-1995, rose to Assistant Commissioner Administra-tion in 1995 and Deputy Commissioner Operations between 1998 and 2004.

Felix was chosen by the President after consultations with then leader of the Opposition, Desmond Hoyte.

In attendance at his swearing in were his family, senior officers, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, Members of the Public Service and the Police Service Commissions, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Michael Atherly and Gajraj.

February 17, 2004