Merai ends controversial police career on a high

Jan 01, 2012 News

 
Yesterday marked the last day that the controversial Assistant Commissioner Steve Merai was officially

DAVID RAMNARINE

a member of the Guyana Police Force.
Merai who had reached the age of retirement some time in mid last year, was asked to remain in charge of the Force’s Berbice Division to oversee operations there before, during and after the November 28 General and Regional Elections.
The outspoken police officer will be remembered for many controversial issues, none more telling than his involvement on the dreaded Target Special Squad, an elite anti-crime unit which was accused of carrying out extra-judicial killings.
The unit was fingered as enforcers for US Consular Officer Thomas Carroll, who was jailed for carrying out an illegal visa-for-sale scheme.
Merai’s fact sheet also contained allegations that he acted as an enforcer for an alleged drug dealer following the publication of a recorded conversation which implicated him.
However, the matter went nowhere after key elements declined to offer any evidence against him.
The officer was removed from frontline duties, despite his obvious crime fighting talent, only resurfacing with his significant posting as commander of the second largest police division-Berbice.
He is credited with bringing the once spiraling crime rate in that division under control, by first targeting large drug operations in the remote areas of the county.
More recently, he was embroiled in more controversy, making damning allegations of links between senior police officers and drugs dealers.
The allegations led to an investigation by Crime Chief Seelall Persaud, who has since presented a report to the Minister of Home Affairs.
A few days ago, Merai defied a gag order that was issued by embattled Commissioner of Police Henry Greene.
Merai’s exit has forced a reshuffling of the command level within the Guyana Police Force with effect from January 01, 2012.

STEVE MERAI

Assistant Commissioner Deryck Josiah who was previously heading the East Coast Division has been posted to “B” Division to replace Merai.
His deputy will be Senior Superintendent Eric Bassant, who previously served in the same capacity on East Coast Demerara as well.
Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine will leave the E&F Division to take over the East Coast of Demerara. He will have as his deputy, senior superintendent Owen Trotz.
These moves are tainted with a bit of controversy since it has been noted that Assistant Commissioner Josiah is junior to Ramnarine yet he is being posted to a Division that is considered more high profile than the East Coast of Demerara.
Informed sources indicate that Ramnarine will not have found favour with the administration as Commander of the Berbice division due to his previous track record of distasteful experiences in the county with local politicians, which are documented and would have been remembered by those in government.
Senior Superintendent Christopher Griffith has now been posted to “D” Division as Divisional Commander, while Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken who previously headed the Tactical Services Unit is now commander of the police interior division.
Assistant Commissioner George Vyphuis remains in charge of the most senior A Division, which covers the city and its environs.