High Court Dismisses Bart Jones’ Challenge to Rosado’s Promotion

The High Court has dismissed the case brought on by Deputy Commissioner of Police Bart Jones, who challenged the promotion of Dr. Richard Rosado to the post of Deputy Commissioner. Deputy Commissioner Rosado is poised to take over as the new ComPol at the end of the month, succeeding Chester Williams. Back in 2021, Jones had filed the case seeking to have Rosado’s ascension to deputy ComPol overturned, on the grounds that he was the more senior officer eligible for the role. He also contended that the position of Deputy Commissioner wasn’t actually vacant when Dr. Rosado was appointed. While the court dismissed Jones’ claim, the judge acknowledged that there was a lapse in procedure and ruled that Jones should have been informed why his promotion date differed from Dr. Rosado’s. The court has ordered the Security Services Commission to provide Senior Officer Jones with a formal written explanation within the next 30 days. We asked Commissioner Williams about the verdict today, but he declined comment saying he had not read the judgment. He did, however, pledge his support for Dr. Rosado. 

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Appointment of a commissioner of police is not within my purview as commissioner of police. That lies squarely on the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs. They decide who they want to be commissioner of police and if they choose to appoint Mr. Rosado as commissioner of police then I have nothing to say about that. I just, I support whatever decision has been made in respect of that matter and moving forward I’m supporting Mr. Rosado fully as we go through the transition period. At the end of the day I want that when he takes over this department that he can be successful in whatever he intends to do to make this country safer.”

Jones was represented in the matter by attorney Wayne Piper.