The main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has issued a public call for Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken and Acting Fire Chief Gregory Wickham to step down from their posts and proceed with their overdue retirement, while urging the President to begin a transparent process for selecting new leaders for both institutions.
In a statement issued Thursday, WIN said the continuation of both men in senior roles beyond the mandatory retirement age is not only troubling but sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of Guyana’s Disciplined Services.
Regarding the Guyana Police Force, the party noted that Commissioner Hicken reached the mandatory retirement age of 55 on July 22, 2023, and has since remained in post through extensions granted by the Executive.
“While the law may allow for extensions up to age 60, the real question is not legality — it is fairness, transparency, and opportunity. Why has this position not been properly regularised when there are capable, qualified officers within the Force who have worked their entire careers in anticipation of upward mobility?” WIN questioned.
The party said a parallel situation exists within the Guyana Fire Service, where Acting Chief Fire Officer Gregory Wickham also remains in his position beyond retirement age.
WIN warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it will stall promotions and dampen the morale of younger officers who have dedicated their careers to advancing through the ranks.
The party also raised concerns about the Guyana Prison Service, where Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels was placed on administrative leave for approximately four months before being reassigned, with Nicklon Elliott since serving as Acting Prison Director. WIN questioned whether these arrangements reflect a broader pattern of keeping leadership posts filled by persons dependent on executive favour.
“Are these extensions and acting appointments being used to keep leadership dependent and controlled? Are promotions being quietly stalled to favour preferred individuals? Is the system being shaped, not for professionalism, but for political convenience?” the party asked.
WIN is calling on President Dr. Irfaan Ali to take immediate action to ensure both the Police Commissioner and the Fire Chief proceed with retirement, and to begin the process of appointing new leaders through meaningful consultation with the Opposition Leader.
