A number of police sergeants claiming to have been denied their promotion rights twice over, are alleging that the selection process for the post of sergeants major was discriminatory in their regard.
The 22 officers have filed an application for a warrant of prohibitory injunction before the First Hall, Civil Court against the Minister for Home Affairs and the Police Commissioner in an attempt to halt any imminent fresh call for applications.
The saga dates back to September 4, 2013 when a call for application for the post of sergeants major first and second class was issued. Applicants with "relevant and proven work experience" were to be favoured in terms of the original call. However, this requisite was done away with when the original call was substituted by a fresh circular later that same day.
Interviews were held between October 8 and 10, 2013 but no results were ever published and the marking criteria were never revealed, the plaintiffs explained.
A message on the national police system eventually invited 13 sergeants and one sergeant major second class to attend a promotions ceremony on November 15, 2013.
Unknown to the plaintiffs, a number of fellow-sergeants complained to the Police Commissioner who allegedly acknowledged the shortcomings in the selection process and advised them to take the matter before the Police Appeals Board.
This led to a second set of promotions in May 2016 whereby eight sergeants and one sergeant major second class were granted remedial action.
The plaintiffs who were once again ignored and denied their promotions, took their grievance before the Police Board where the matter is still pending.
Upon recently getting to know that the authorities intended to issue a fresh call for applications, the plaintiffs decided to take the matter to court after a legal letter sent to the relative authorities did not produce the desired remedy.
In their application, the sergeants claimed that the selective and discriminatory treatment by the Commissioner was affecting their promotion prospects, their income as well as any future pension entitlement.
Lawyer Joseph P. Bonello signed the application.